Sylvia Ramirez Recognized for Strengthening NASA’s Emergency Communications

On Jan. 29, Radio Communications Officer Sylvia Ramirez was presented a special recognition award by NASA Johnson Space Center’s Amateur Radio Club (ARC) for more than 23 years of dedicated effort for the management of the JSC NASA SHARES Emergency Operations Center (EOC) radio station, which operates in partnership with the JSC ARC.

Pictured, from left: Keith Grimm, president of the JSC Amateur Radio Club (ARC); Sylvia Ramirez; and Fred Gimenes, vice president of the JSC ARC. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Ramirez is credited with the creation and operational oversight for the JSC EOC radio station now located at the Gilruth facility. The station is one of numerous Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed assets sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security under the acronym SHARES, standing for SHared RESources high frequency radio Program. SHARES was formed about 20 years ago to provide the U.S. government a mechanism to intercommunicate across federal and state agencies during an extreme emergency event that would incapacitate landline, cellular and other commercial communications infrastructure. 

With today’s increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and digital susceptibilities, the risks to our primary modes of emergency communications are also growing — hence the operational readiness of the SHARES system. This communications capability serves as a vital and important contingency for the center and agency.

Ramirez’s efforts to build and establish the first instance of this radio capability began in 1996. During its inception, she worked tirelessly with JSC ARC personnel, affectionately known as “hams,” to activate a full SHARES radio station in the Building 30 EOC. With dedicated antennas on Building 30’s rooftop, this breakthrough immediately established a footprint presence for the agency to enhance its emergency operations.

Throughout the years, Ramirez provided sponsorship and advocacy as the SHARES radio manager, which included allocating funds to maintain the equipment, procuring specialized radio technology and supporting the licensing and training of FCC operators who share on-the-air duty between EOC staff and JSC amateur radio operators.

More recently, the EOC radio station transplanted from Building 30 to the Gilruth Center. Under Ramirez’s oversight, the movement of radio functionality to the new location provided operators with easier access and significantly improved functionality and performance. Equipment and antennas at the Gilruth station enjoy the benefit of additional backup contingencies, with a room full of operational “ham radio” equipment and the use of a dedicated 80-foot radio tower and specialized high-performing antennas. This current EOC station today boasts commanding performance into the federal SHARES network when compared with the former location. Although good enough for its time, Building 30 was plagued with radio frequency interference challenges and unprotected lightning strikes due to the flat, exposed rooftop.

“Sylvia was the early innovator to blend on-site amateur radio operators with an emergency radio operation capability at JSC,” said David Lee, deputy chief for the Wireless and Communications Branch within Johnson’s Engineering Directorate. “This special capability would likely not exist without her advocacy and tenacious commitment to refine and fix problems along the way. Yet, her wisdom paid off, as the center now has another viable emergency communications capability through the Office of Emergency Management utilizing active ham radio operators throughout the center.”

Today, the EOC radio station is operated by volunteers from the JSC ARC while under the continued management and oversight from Ramirez in Johnson’s Protective Services Division. The fruitful years-long partnership between the EOC and JSC ARC, which gets sponsorship from the Engineering Directorate’s Avionic Systems Division, assures a robust emergency communications infrastructure for the center, its people and the agency.

“Our joint efforts to support NASA’s mission is remarkable as we continue to foster growth in our program,” Ramirez said. “I feel deeply appreciative of the honor bestowed to me by the team members of the ARC.”  

Ramirez, center, was instrumental in moving the EOC radio station to its new and improved home at the Gilruth. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz