PARKERSBURG - Ken Harris has been in the communications business for as long as he can remember.
Since 1983, he has served as the director of Wood County Emergency Communications (WCEC), a non-profit organization that provides backup communications for public safety agencies in Wood County.
"People rely so heavily on technologies like cell phones and the Internet these days, but I know how easily and quickly they can fail," Harris said. "We are a group of volunteers who can provide backup communications anywhere when normal connections are overloaded or when they go out."
The Vienna native has been surrounded by technology most of his life. In 1963, fresh out of high school, Harris joined the military and worked as an operator. A few years later, he got a job with the telephone company, where he worked as a central office technician for nearly 35 years.
"During my years with the phone company, some of us started making plans for a service that could be there when all other communications failed," he said Tuesday. "A lot of times during critiques of emergency situations, the biggest thing I hear is that there was a communications problem. Sometimes agencies can't communicate with each other, or ordinary people can't call in to report troubles. We're here to make sure that does not happen."
WCEC is run by a group of volunteer amateur radio operators who are able to set up communication stations anywhere they are needed. During the Mission of Mercy dental clinic on Friday and Saturday, Harris and his crew established a station at West Virginia University at Parkersburg to set up radio frequencies with the American Red Cross workers, 911 center and local ambulances.
During severe-weather incidents, fires and drills, the WCEC is available in case all other avenues of communication fail. During the 1994 Shell Chemical plant explosion in Belpre, operators with WCEC provided backup services for local agencies and rescue squads.
When a tornado touched down in Lubeck, the organization aided volunteer fire departments. WCEC has been called to assist during power outages, snowstorms and other disasters.
"You just never know when something could happen," Harris said. "Things break down unexpectedly during emergencies."
The group operates on donations and funds generated from bingo games at community events such as Parkersburg Homecoming Festival, Volcano Days at Mountwood Park and the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition.
"All of our workers are volunteers, and we're not tied to any other agency," he said. "A lot of counties have some type of backup communications agency, but most are not as elaborate as ours."
WCEC created a digital radio network called the DAREN system, which has been installed in six counties in West Virginia. The system keeps track of victims, emergency personnel and communications equipment during emergencies.
The group maintains a mobile home that serves as a portable communications center that can be taken to disaster scenes.
After nearly 26 years with WCEC, Harris said he still loves his job and continues to find fulfillment volunteering his time for the safety of the public.
He said his job as director keeps him busy, but his volunteers are the driving force behind the organization.
"They do a lot. All you have to do is ask, and they'll be there," he said. "We may not be needed a lot, but when we are, we can do a lot of good for the community."
