Emergency Communications in the Public Domain By Dr. Eamon P. Doherty Fairleigh Dickinson University

Free Emergency Data and Voice Communications  There are a variety of organizations that provide limited service regarding emergency data and voice communications without cost to local and state governments in New Jersey.

Emergency Service Organizations RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service  “Recently the State of New Jersey, Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police conducted a Simulated Emergency Test, SET.  This exercise had amateur radio operators at their local Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), sending simulated emergency messages through the State of New Jersey. “ 

Amateur Radio Emergency Service ARES  ARES and RACES work together with FEMA. ARES is part of the SKYWARN system too  A Middletown NJ, RACES group

Military Amateur Radio Service  The Mission of the MARS system is to:  1. Provide auxiliary communications for military, federal and local disaster management officials during periods of emergency or while conducting drills in emergency procedures.  2. Assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions. 

Used at Katrina to provide emergency medical communication