New Member Orientation

What do I do when I get Called Out?

Mike Manes, W5VSI
Training and Planning Officer

What's a Callout?

A callout is the process by which ARES members are contacted to volunteer to support a served agency in an emergency. Callout procedures may also be used to as part of an ARES exercise.

Callouts occur only at the District level, and may be initiated ONLY by the EC, AEC, or a designated member. In a real emergency, these officials act in response to an actual or anticipated request for communications support by a served agency.

Each ARES member is expected to be prepared to respond as effectively as possible to a callout. Although no one is expected to abandon his responsibilities to his family or employer, or unnecessarily risk his personal welfare, personal inconvenience or lack of preparation are not satisfactory reasons for refusal to support a callout.

This piece is intended to serve as a guide to effective preparation for and participation in an ARES callout.

Preparation:

Stocked getaway bag - see the District 22 Web site
(Only stuff you don’t need except in an emergency away from home)

Radio gear handy and ready:

- HT or mobile rig operational
- Spare batteries or external battery power charged
- Portable antennas and supports
- Power cords and coax
- Headset

Documents in a handy binder:

- D22 ERP and COPLAN
- D22 roster
- ARES membership card
- NTS and D22 tactical message forms
- Pad of paper for logs, notes
- Pencils, pens, etc.

When the call comes:

Verify authenticity: EC or AEC only. If served agency calls, make every effort to pass the word to EC, AEC, SEC or SM in that order.

ID the Served Agency:
Who needs the service, where and when?
How can my family / SigO’s contact them?

Site specifics: (Some answers may be available only on Resource Net)

• Exactly where do I go?
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  How do I get there?
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  How do I get into the site?
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  Whom do I check in with?
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  How long should I expect to remain?
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  What shelter, food, etc. should I bring?
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  What kind of radio link is necessary to get out?
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Resource Net:

• Frequency (offset & tones if repeater)?
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  NCS call?
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  Expected net coverage?
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Before hitting the road:

• Check getaway bag.
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  Collect necessary radios, batteries, antennas, supports.
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  Collect weather gear, food, shelter, heat, light, etc. as required.
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  Plan route to site on using a good map.
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  Leave agency or ARES contact info with SigO’s.
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  Check into Resource Net with status and ETA.

Enroute:

• Fill gas tank
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  Get Tactical Net info
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Arrival:

• Notify NCS.
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  Gain admittance - get help via the net if necessary.
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  Locate contact person and check in:
  Advise your capabilities, links to other sites, setup requirements.
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  Get instructions:
  Radio site, shadow, etc.

Site setup:

• Own vehicle is often best if OK with served agency.
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  Set up shelter before exposing gear to weather.
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  Set up antennas, radios, power sources for ease of use.
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  Verify quality of link to net early on; relocate antennas or site if necessary.
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  Arrange log sheets, message forms, note pads, pencils for convenience.
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  Monitor net during setup process - take traffic early if possible.
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Get to work:

• Advise local contacts of your capabilities, limitations, site, etc.
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  Get names, titles of your contacts
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  Take any pent-up outbound traffic.
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  Contact NCS with status.
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  Get your tactical call if not done already.
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  Pass and accept traffic as required.
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  Take care of yourself, but NEVER leave the radio without checking out with NCS.
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