Mar 30
Mar 01
Just posted the latest version…. CLICK here
Jan 12
Dec 08
The State is conducting an audit of its facilities to ensure license agreements are in place for all radio communication equipment. Clubs and individuals who have amateur radio equipment on state towers or buildings can expect to be contacted about setting up a license if one is not already in place.
Apr 07
The Amateur Radio Emergency Services team is always looking for new members. People excited about providing communications in an emergency situation. So how do you join ARES and what is the difference between level 1 and level 2?
ARES level 1 is the entry level, join the team come on in and look around. Talk to others that have been on the team for years and get the feel of what is expected as an ARES volunteer. You do not need to take any FEMA ICS or ARRL course to join ARES.
ARES level 2 So now you know what it is and you want to continue. You want to build your own go box and you want to deploy to a local emergency operations center (EOC). At this level you will increase your skill level by completing several FEMA ICS courses and the ARRL course.
ARES Level 3 You like everything ARES stands for and you want to contribute more. To be appointed into a leadership position you need to step up to level 3. At this level you will learn about more advanced subjects. Only the Section Emergency Coordinator can make ARES leadership appointments.
ARES level 1 you are required to do the following:
1) Get a copy of the ARES Task Book. Click on the menu item above and download the latest copy.
2) Fill out and send in the ARES membership application. Again this is a menu item above.
3) Study for and pass the Technicians license test. Many local clubs have study groups and they provide the testing. If you need a contact then click on CONTACT above and let us know, we will find a local club for you to study and test with. You must have a Technician license, or higher to join ARES.
That is all you need to do to join the ARES team. After you join you might consider advancing your skill level by working on ARES Level 2, which you can read about in the Task Book.
Jun 08
Who decides when ARES will be activated?
That would be the agency ARES volunteers are serving. ARES is a registered trade mark for the ARRL. The roles in emergency communication is really defined by the agencies, state, county, local government or NGO they serve as volunteer communicator. Without these served organization ARES has no role to support.
Some common terms we use often….
one or coalition of (usually not-for-profit) Second Responder organizations in the United States. These groups voluntarily help survivors after a disaster. One example is the American Red Cross.
Sep 06
Jun 08
On the 6/8 SCHEART training net Kent Hufford, KQ4KK presented this topic, which was originally written by Christine Smith, N5CAS (sk). It is a long read but it answers so many questions.
WORKING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS
Modified from a Waller County, TX ARES training article
written by Christine Smith, N5CAS (sk)
Meeting the communications needs of “served” agencies is quite a challenge in today’s complex
disaster/emergency relief arena. The number of emergency relief organizations and their increasingly
sophisticated needs all competing for that scarce resource–the volunteer. The activity of other non-
amateur volunteers makes the picture even more complicated. As more of the population moves to
disaster-prone areas and less government funding is available, more pressure is placed on agencies
to use and sometimes abuse the volunteer sector for support of their missions in disasters. Toes are
sometimes stepped on and a volunteer’s morale can be undermined.
On the other hand, the ARRL, SCHEART and SC EMD formal relationships with served agencies are
vitally important and valuable to radio amateurs. They provide us with the opportunity to contribute in
a meaningful way. Another substantial benefit not to be overlooked is that these relationships lend
legitimacy and credibility for Amateur Radio’s public service capability.
What to Do?
May 11
In a typical disaster situation a county EOC might ask you to deploy to a VOAD site and establish emergency comms to the county EOC and state EOC. Your go box, portable antenna’s and your knowledge of all the possible methods to establish those comms links are essential. Here is a list of every VOAD in South Carolina. Many VOADs on this list would not deploy until after the comms infrastructure was back online. But others would deploy right away and they may ask for a comms link back to the county or state EOC. This is where ARES can engage and make a difference.