AFRS.US & Local Partners Expand Community Safety With Solar-Powered Emergency Communication Nodes

Clinton County, OH — July 2025

At AFRS.US, our mission is to protect and empower our community — especially when disaster strikes. Today, we’re proud to announce the deployment of three solar-powered emergency communication nodes throughout the Clinton County area, powered by the innovative Meshtastic open-source technology.

These nodes create a resilient, low-cost communication network that enables the community to stay in touch with family, neighbors, and first responders — even when cell towers and LTE networks go down.

We were inspired to act after assisting in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene, where we witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of communication failures. In those critical moments, even a short message could mean the difference between safety and danger.

Now, thanks to these new solar-powered nodes and the power of LoRa (Long Range) technology, anyone in the area with an affordable Meshtastic device can connect to the mesh network, message loved ones, and receive vital updates — without relying on traditional infrastructure.

Local Collaboration Makes It Stronger

This effort was made even more impactful thanks to the Clinton County Amateur Radio Club, who installed their own Meshtastic node on top of the local hospital. Their expertise and commitment to the community help extend the network’s reach and ensure increased coverage.

Together, AFRS.US and the Amateur Radio Club are building a stronger, more connected safety net for our community.

Smarter Alerts & Reliable Testing

We didn’t stop at just installing hardware. Our team developed specialized software that runs on our Meshtastic server (backed by UPS power), delivering real-time:

NOAA Weather Alerts

AMBER Alerts

Other urgent broadcast from federal authorities

This system also helps us test and log messages on the network, improving reliability and keeping everyone informed.

Why It Matters

For rural communities and businesses alike, disaster preparedness is critical. These kinds of resilient communication solutions are affordable, effective, and available today — and AFRS.US is proud to bring them to Clinton County and beyond, with the support of dedicated local partners.

Get Involved

We rely on your support to keep building and maintaining life-saving technology like this.

Donate today at: afrs.us/giving

Learn more about Meshtastic and how you can join the network: https://meshtastic.org

Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more connected community.

---- AFRS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fire, search, and rescue organization operating under the authority of ORC 9.60. AFRS is authorized to provide shared emergency services to any government agency in Ohio.

In addition, AFRS is also a registered FEMA disaster services provider for large-scale events that may impact your Ohio community.

AFRS is primarily funded by private donors. Those interested in supporting our mission through one-time donations or ongoing corporate sponsorships should visit the donations section of our website at https://afrs.us/giving