A pair of ham radio enthusiasts who volunteer 25-35 hours per month for the City of Marysville's Emergency Management program were named Volunteers of the Month by Mayor Jon Nehring. Kyle Burgess and Matt Benjamin were honored at the Nov. 26 City Council meeting. 

"Kyle and Matt's technical expertise and work ethic have greatly contributed to local emergency management," Mayor Nehring said. "Their contributions are truly an asset to our city."

Burgess and Benjamin helped install the city's radio equipment that ensures continuity of communications between city departments and the Emergency Operations Center if cell service goes down in an emergency. They helped develop the city's Emergency Communications Plan and designed and executed a volunteer auxiliary communications drill. They are working to form and will lead a dedicated group of volunteers trained to respond in an emergency to provide technical assistance with radio equipment and assist with auxiliary communications. 

They also have been involved in developing the city's volunteer communications protocol for the Strawberry Festival parade. Burgess and Benjamin were nominated for the honor by Diana Rose, who leads the city's Emergency Management program.