THE AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE

     The radio amateur best justifies his/her existence by the service rendere to the community in times
of disaster and distress when normal communications media are not available, have failed or are badly
overburdened.
       In the event of a communications emergency all amateurs are dedicated to serve in the public
interest, within there ability, to provide temporary communications for a stricken area until normal
facilities are restored.
The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service is composed of licensed amateurs who have
voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service
when disaster strikes.
              Every licensed amateur, whether or not a member of the ARRL, is eligible for membership in the
Emergency Service. The only other qualification is a sincere desire to serve. The possession of emergency-
powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement.
               further information on the Service may be optained from your Section Manager or ARRL Hq.

BEFORE EMERGENCY

Prepare yourself by providing a transmitter-receiver setup together with an emergency power source upon
witch you can depend.
Test both the dependability of your emergency equipment and your own operating ability in the annual
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and the several annual on-the-air contests, especially Field Day.
Register your facilities and your availability with your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator. If your
community has no Ec, contact your local civic and relief agencies and explain to them what the Amateur
Service offers the community in time of disaster.

IN EMERGENCY

Listen before you transmit. Never violate this principle.
Report at once to your Emergency Coordinator so that the EC will have up-to-minute data on the
facilities available. Work with the local civic and relief agencies as the EC suggests. Offer these agencies
your services directly in the absence of an EC.
Restrict all on-the-air work in accordance with FCC regulations, Section 97.107, whenever FCC
"declares" a state of  communications emergency.
SOS and "Mayday" are International distress calls for emergency only. They are for use only by
stations seeking emergency assistance.
Respect the fact that the success of the amateur effort in emergency depends largely on circuit discipline.
The established Net Control Station should be the supreme authority for traffic routing.
Cooperate with those we serve. Be ready to help, but stay off the air unless there is a specific job to be
done, that you can handle more efficiently than any other station.
Copy all bulletins from W1AW. During time of emergency, bulletins will keep you posted on the latest
developments.

AFTER EMERGENCY

Report to ARRL Headquarters as soon as possible and as fully as possible so that the Amateur Service
can receive full credit. Amateur Radiohas won glowing public tribute in emergencies for over sixty years.
Maintain this record.