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Amateur radio operators have been involved with both
public service communications and emergency communications
since 1913. In the early days, the involvement without any
coordination.
According to the
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL, published by the ARRL,
"As time
progressed, the need for and value of organization became
evident, resulting in the establishment of organized trunk
lines and net systems; later the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) were
formed to complete the organization."
The Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a part of the Amateur
Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Organization. ARES consists
of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their
qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the
public service when disaster strikes.
Every licensed
amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local
or national organization, is eligible for membership in the
ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an
Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because
ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for
membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is
desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
While the
primary activity of ARES is to provide emergency
communications during disasters, ARES also
provides essential communications for
public events including parades, marathons and other races,
walkathons, bicycle tours, and other large events where
swift, reliable communications can protect and improve the
safety of the general public. To achieve these goals, ARES
provides amateur radio operators with training in emergency
communications, directed net procedures and on-air
discipline, formal message handling, and emergency
preparedness.
In New York
City, ARES groups are organized by borough and are
coordinated by the individual Emergency Coordinator (EC). It
is at the borough level where most of the real emergency
organizing gets accomplished. This is the level at which
ARES leaders make direct contact with the ARES
member-volunteers. The local EC is therefore the key contact
in the ARES. The EC is appointed by the Section Emergency
Coordinator (SEC), on the recommendation of the District
Emergency Coordinator (DEC). The DEC acts as the point of
contact with the served clients, city-wide agencies and
events that cross borough lines. He/she coordinates the
efforts of the Emergency Coordinators so that the volunteer
response is fluid and efficient.
If you are interested in
joining ARES in New York City, please visit the contact page
and get in touch with your local Emergency Coordinator.
- Russ Logar, KC2LSB - NYC District
Emergency Coordinator
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