Escambia County Public Safety Remembers the Late L.R. "Rudy" Hubbard

On Friday, Nov. 12, representatives of Escambia County, colleagues and friends came together at the Escambia County Public Safety building for the dedication ceremony of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service room, now named in honor of the late Rudy Hubbard. 

L.R. "Rudy" Hubbard was highly active in the local amateur radio scene for many years, assisting on several occasions during times of emergency operations. Hubbard passed away on May 29, 2021 at the age of 97.

According to Hubbard's obituary, he became a Ham radio operator and was highly active in the Ham radio community for many years. He served as Section Manager for North Florida ARRL (American Radio Relay League). He was a primary coordinator for the Gulf Coast Response during many hurricanes.

In a statement provided from colleagues of Hubbard, "Rudy Hubbard successfully served 1988-2006 as the Northern Florida Section Manager for the American Radio Relay League. Rudy Hubbard was responsible for the oversight of amateur radio operations in the forty-four northernmost Florida counties. He was the principal Manager and coordinator of amateur radio communication support during times of disaster and assisted County Emergency Managers throughout the region. Rudy Hubbard was highly instrumental in the local coordination of amateur radio assets during Hurricanes Erin, Opal, Ivan, and Dennis, as well as many other hurricane disasters that affected other North Florida counties during his tenure. Rudy Hubbard tirelessly worked in coordination with other Section Managers in South Florida during Hurricane Andrew and with the neighboring states of Mississippi and Louisiana during the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery. Rudy Hubbard was very dedicated to amateur radio and the many amateur radio operators that staff this room during times of need. He will be fondly remembered."

Escambia County Public Safety is responsible for keeping citizens safe from emergencies and both man-made and natural disasters. Its divisions include Emergency Communications, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Rescue and Pensacola Beach Lifeguards. For the latest information on emergency management services in Escambia County, residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on myescambia.com.

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A dedication plaque remembering L.R. "Rudy" Hubbard.


Escambia County Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton (middle) speaking during the ceremony.


Friends and colleagues of Hubbard sharing stories and experiences with Hubbard.