ATLANTA — Benji Martin wanted to learn how to operate an emergency radio system so he could reach the International Space Station.
However, the 15-year-old has found he can make an impact with his skills much closer to home.
The Chamblee native trained with Atlanta ARES and runs communications for the group once a month.
Benji was working the night before Hurricane Helene and started receiving severe damage reports. As he was passing those damage reports along, he realized he could help people in peril in North Carolina.
The group was able to keep operations open during the hurricane, and he worked from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. to help keep people safe.
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Following the storm, Benji volunteered to start doing welfare checks for people who were out of communication during the storm.
When internet and cell phones go down, radio is still a dependable method of communication that does not require heavy infrastructure.
Because of his work after the hurricane, Benji got frequencies for North Carolina radio and has been working to help families ever since.
Benji serves his community in Atlanta as well. He is a Private First Class in the JROTC at Chamblee High and a Star Level Scout in the local BSA Troop.
He is creating a group at his high school called the HAMDogs, aimed at recruiting students to become licensed and trained emergency radio operators so they can deploy to help in an emergency.
For additional information on Helene's relief efforts and resources, click here.
