1. Georgia Section Introduction to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Stan Edwards, WA4DYD, ASEC, Georgia Section
ARES and Amateur Radio Emergency Service are service marks of the American Radio Relay League. Logo used by permission.

2. National Organization
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service is part of Field Organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
ARRL has established Memoranda of Understanding with:
Dept. of Homeland Security, National Weather Service (NWS), National Communications System (NCS), Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO)
American Red Cross, Salvation Army, REACT International (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams), Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), National Association of Radio and Television Engineers (NARTE)
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3. Why ARES?
Part 97 of FCC Rules & Regulations: “The rules and regulations … are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications ”
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4. ARES Charter
"The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (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." -- ARRL Public Service Communications Manual

5. Why ARES?
During disasters, commercial communications infrastructures can become damaged and/or overloaded – no exceptions
Typical emergency services’ communications systems are also vulnerable
Interagency communications, if existing, are vulnerable as well
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6. Coroner Schools EOC SO Utilities PD F&EMS Parks GEMA Red Cross
Public Health
Hospital
Hospital
Transportation
Red Cross
Coroner
Schools
EOC SO
Utilities PD
Corrections
Municipality
Municipality
Municipality
F&EMS
Municipality
Municipality
Municipality
Parks
GEMA
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7. National Infrastructure
Nationwide message handling system: National Traffic System – voice/digital
Transcontinental, region and section networks with interconnecting liaisons
Liaison between local and section networks for national relay
New digital initiative specifically for ARES endorsed by ARRL Board of Directors
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8. Section Organization
Section (Georgia) Manager (SM) elected by ARRL members of Section
Section (Georgia) Emergency Coordinator (SEC) appointed by SM
District Emergency Coordinators (DEC) appointed by SEC
Local Emergency Coordinators (EC) appointed by DEC.
SM – Susan Swiderski, AF4FO
SEC – Mike Boatright, KO4WX
DEC for Metro Atlanta – Steve Reynolds, W4CNG
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9. Section Organization
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10. Local ARES Organization
Emergency Coordinator
Assistant Emergency Coordinators
Administration
Business Management
Digital Communications
Logistics
Mobile Communications Facility
Net Manager and SKYWARN
Recruiting and Retention
Red Cross Liaison
Response Teams
Training
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11. Membership Open to any licensed Amateur Radio operator
Today there are 1,120 ARES members in Georgia
Membership varies county-to-county
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12. Mission:
A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as established by Part 97 of the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations, is the performance of public service communications for the general public, particularly in times of emergency when normal communications are not available. To that end, the Georgia Amateur Radio Emergency Service members, under the oversight of the American Radio Relay League, will equip themselves and train to provide communications as a direct service to the general public through government and relief agencies when requested by those agencies.
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13. Training ARRL Emergency Communications courses NWS SKYWARN training
Local training
Required training
Operational training (nets, exercises)
Section-wide training (nets, exercises)
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14. Operations Focus is on serving local agencies
Every jurisdiction should have local support plans and operating guidelines
Local net(s)
Flexibility with frequency agility
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15. District/Section Operations
A number of Districts have District-wide or regional nets.
The Section supports Section-wide needs as may be requested by Section authorities such as GEMA.
The Section supports local needs when assistance is needed.
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16. Activation
SKYWARN warnings automatically cause spotter activation of ARES jurisdictions within the alerting area.
Local as desired by Served Agencies – EMA, Red Cross, Public Health, etc.
Based on plans developed in support of Served Agencies.
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17. Activation
Section HF nets are normally activated in response to requests either by GEMA or a local EMA needing communications with GEMA.
Section nets may be activated prior to an event based on Section-wide preparations, typically resulting when a disaster declaration is made by the Governor.
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18. In Summary
During disasters, all communications infrastructures can become damaged and/or overloaded
A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as established by Part 97 of the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations, is the performance of public service communications for the general public, particularly in times of emergency when normal communications are not available.
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19. In Summary
ARES is there to help alleviate the communications crunch that can occur during times of emergency. As Walter Cronkite said in a public service video for Amateur Radio, “When all else fails, Amateur Radio is there!”
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20. Questions?
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21. Website
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