09/08/2026
So, now RAYNETs involment is public I can share my personal experience of Dunwich Wildfires. One of the things I do in my personal time is Amateur Radio, I'm fully licensed and been part of RAYNET for a decade, the emergency comms organisation for disasters.
So, last week, I was assisting at Dunwich Wildfire command centres. I can't describe how you feel when you see it first hand. There's little me in highviz on the front line at Coastguard Cottages Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and down into the main fire pit area. Some of the photo's I took while running radios about down to the fire crews.
It was incredible to support all the multi agency teams, the very reason I joined RAYNET in the first place. I hope in the future the dedication by each and every fire crew member will be officially recognised for their bravery, I know they'll say they were just doing their jobs, but it's much more than that.
At the bottom, there's a link to the National Trust fundraising page to support the recovery of Dunwich Heath.
East Suffolk RAYNET support of services attending Heath Fire in Dunwich, Suffolk:
From Ben Horne: As one of the firefighters involved in this incident, we must say a massive 'Thank You' to all the Raynet guys who came and assisted.
With all of the 18 fire services that sent fire appliances, as well as all the local trucks, ambulance & police unit's that attended, the Tetra Airwaves system became overwhelmed (it's the first time in 20 years of using Airwaves that I've seen 'No Service' pop up on the screen). Also, due to that fact that this incident was spread over such a wide area, the UHF simplex handhelds were out of range of each other, plus some services were using analogue, while other were on digital (DMR) on the same frequencies! (Causing further issues)
East Suffolk RAYNET arrived with repeater, mast and multiple handhelds to issues to each team, restoring vital communication across the site. Thanks again guys!
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/appeals/dunwich-heath?fbclid=Iwb21leATlIpxwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtATAAYWRpZAAAL9s2Bc_Rc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe4cKoGtw8DKY3OqwVjkGN7ly7QWdaHUyuOzaSUdBrh8MhjNJR-Z2gV5muolM_aem_HNTNY9vTpIZiM0qzouTjcw&audience=new_audience&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=52617947294441&utm_content=52618173725241&utm_term=52618001108041&utm_campaign=52617947294441
I'm also Chairman of the counties largest Amateur Radio Society.
