(ARES)Amateur Radio Emergency Service
of Nassau County, New York
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(ARES)Amateur Radio Emergency Service
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What is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service?
The Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) is a volunteer organization which serves the public by providing
Amateur Radio communication to federal, state, county, and local government
agencies, as well as to non-profit organizations. The primary activity of ARES
is to provide emergency communications during disasters such as fires, floods,
earthquakes, and hurricanes, when other means of communications are not available
or can be knocked out. One secondary activity of ARES is to provide 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. Another secondary
activity of ARES is to provide amateur radio operators with training in emergency
communications, directed net procedures and on-air discipline, formal message
handling, and emergency preparedness. Separate ARES groups are organized in
each county and coordinated by the American Radio
Relay League (ARRL)
ARES members are Amateur Radio operators, licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), who volunteer their time and equipment
to serve the public. All active ARES members must have a valid amateur radio
license, because ARES operates using amateur radio frequencies. But this is
the only requirement. Any licensed amateur radio operator can be a member of
ARES. There is no requirement for, or discrimination against, membership in
any other club or organization. Although Nassau County ARES encourages dual
membership in both ARES and the Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), and maintains a strong affiliation
with the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club
(LIMARC) and the ARRL, membership in these groups is not required. Also, there
is no requirement that you own any specific equipment, although the use of battery
powered, portable equipment is strongly encouraged.
What is expected of ARES members?
It is expected that ARES members will have a genuine desire to participate in
ARES drills, training activities, public service events,
and during actual emergencies, and act in a calm, disciplined and professional
manner while doing so. ARES members work to improve their communications skills
and capabilities through training and participation in public service events.
They stay informed of upcoming events by checking in to the weekly
nets, and they play an active role in the organization by attending the
monthly meetings. ARES members also strive to improve
their level of emergency preparedness by keeping their portable equipment in
good operating condition, all together in one place and ready to go at a moments
notice, and by adding, building, or repairing the equipment items that training
and experience has shown to be lacking.
How can I join Nassau County ARES?
Nassau County ARES prefers that it's members live or work in Nassau County. Residents of other counties should contact their local ARES group. No other qualifications are required and there are no dues or fees. If you are interested in becoming an ARES member, please contact Jim Mezey, W2KFV, or visit us at one of our monthly meetings. Click here to download the 2006 ARES membership application. Click here to download an "rich text format" version if you have trouble reading the original.
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