EM Aug07

From Megawiki

ARES and integration into your emergency plan.

Amateur radio operators are federally licensed individuals who specialize in radio communications. Many are active in disasters and often participate in organizations such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). In Wisconsin ARES/RACES are combined in to the same entity.

Amateur radio operators often called "Hams" have the knowledge and experience to establish organized radio communications networks, with government and emergency officials. These Hams can be called upon during a failure or overload of normal communications systems. Hams working with ARES are trained in standard federally recognized procedures including the Integrated Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

As seen following hurricanes, storms and other crises, Hams are able to provide communications among multiple government and volunteer agencies as are needed. This strength in interoperable communications has been proven again and again over the years. Local amateur radio organizations have continued to develop communications tools for both voice and data. These Tools allow off-the-grid communications such as email, voice, satellite and GPS tracking technology.

Not only active in times of crisis or disaster, Hams also help organizations in need of communications when they are involved in large scale and community oriented activities. ARES provides communications during the Racine County tornado siren tests and also the Spirit of Racine Triathlon. From the Hams' perspective, such events are ideal interagency communications exercises. From federal agencies such as the the coast guard to local local fire, police and hospitals Hams can help bridge the communications gap.

The Hams provide their services and equipment freely to their communities. They are "Amateurs" only in that they are not paid, but their service in a disaster can be priceless. We have found that public service events are an excellent opportunity to practice working together. Organized training situations also provide invaluable training. ARES tests its emergency communications and interoperability with government and volunteer organizations in Racine County during the nationally organized annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET).

With the understanding that preparedness is the most important parts of working together, the Hams also participate in the tabletop planing, after-action reports and other exercises of various agencies and organizations. The Racine County ARES can meet with you to help establish communication plans and procedures. It also offers a Ham 101 course for the various agencies and organizations as an introduction to working together.

We hams strongly encourage you to participate in the 2007 SET training drill on October 6th.

Jim Markstrom
Emergency Coordinator
Racine Country Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(262) 909-3996
EC@RCARES.org
http://www.rcares.org

Hams have the slogan, "When all else fails - Amateur Radio!"