Amateur ("Ham") radio operators are uniquely skilled and
equipped to provide backup disaster communications for served agencies during
or after incidents that create a communications emergency. When you hear of a
major hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or terrorist attack, you will hear that
hams have assisted when the normal communications became overloaded or rendered
inoperable. Notable events have included Hurricane Katrina, 9-11 and the Boston
Marathon.
Served agencies can include those at the local, state or the
federal level. Hams also support non-governmental relief agencies such as the
Red Cross and Salvation Army. Hams can also support their local communities
through "neighborhood watch" type programs as well as provide communications
support for public events such as parades, races and numerous other community
activities. All of this is done free of charge.
All FCC-licensed amateur radio operators are eligible to join
ARES, which is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated program. The
application form may be downloaded from the ARES Information page. Fill it out
and submit it to the Maine Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) or your closest
Emergency Coordinator (EC) to become involved in your local ARES group. The
various Emergency Coordinators are listed on the Contact page.
Visit these other websites who support amateur radio emergency services and ham radio operators:
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