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AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY

COMMUNICATIONS

AND

YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES

AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY

COMMUNICATIONS

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If we look closely at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that govern Amateur Radio we find that there is no mention of having fun or seeing who can talk the furthest.

However... There is very specific mention of Amateur Radio providing a trained pool of radio operators available in times of need. In other words our ability to communicate when normal communications infrastructure is overloaded or unable to function is a reason we are able to get a license.

"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."  -- FCC Part 97.1(a).

SOME HISTORY

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Where did it all begin?

SOME HISTORY

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1913 Ice Storm .. Amateurs at the University of Michigan and Ohio State University provide communications after the ice storm..First recorded instance in this country of Amateur Radio in providing emergency communications..

AEC

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Note in the September 1935 issue of QST magazine asking hams interested in emergency communications to write to ARRL…

ARRL Emergency Corps (AEC) formed with a goal of having a member in each community…

AREC

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In 1951 the AEC becomes the..

Amateur Radio Emergency Corps

ARPSC

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In 1963 the AREC becomes the emergency division of the

Amateur Radio Public Service Corps..

ARES

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In 1978 the AREC is changed toAmateur Radio Emergency Service

SOME HISTORY

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YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES

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In Early 1998Yavapai County ARES/RACES was

organized…

YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES

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New look in 2006…

YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES

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Yavapai County ARES/RACES formed in early 1998…

Works closely with both radio clubs, but not an integral part of either…

ARES/RACES primary served agency is:Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management…

YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES

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Membership of over 65…

How many are active??

Dedicated core group that can be depended on…

Amateur Radio is the hobby.. Emergency Communications is a Commitment…

Equipment Installations

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YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACESEQUIPMENT

INSTALLATIONS…

Equipment Installations

Yavapai County ARES/RACES Equipment

Installations…

18 Completewith

4 Pending15

Equipment Installations

Prescott and Central Yavapai Fire Departments.. • Dual Band Antennas installed on almost every fire

station.. Additional antennas are installed when new stations are built..

• Yavapai Regional Medical Center.. West and East Campus Dual band transceiver and antenna installed..

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Equipment Installations

Yavapai County Community Health Services • Dual band transceiver and antenna

installed.Yavapai College Prescott and Verde Campus

• Dual band transceivers and antennas with digital communications capability.

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Equipment Installations

Verde Valley Locations…o Dual band radio with antenna installed on

the Cottonwood Public Safety Building.. o Dual band radio with antenna installed at the

Verde Valley Fire Station on Hwy 260..o Amateur VHF radio with antenna installed at

Sedona EOC location..o Dual band radio with antenna installed at the

Village of Oak Creek Fire Station..18

Equipment Installations

Typical EOC Amateur Radio Installations Include:

Two Dual Band VHF/UHF Amateur Transceivers One High Frequency Amateur Transceiver One Computer for Digital Communications One VHF Public Safety Transceiver One UHF Public Safety Transceiver One All Band Scanning Receiver

Most City and Town EOC installations are designed to, if necessary, be an alternate Yavapai County EOC.

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Equipment InstallationsYavapai County Emergency Operating

Center

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Equipment Installations

Prescott City Emergency Operating Center(Alternate Arizona State EOC)

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Equipment Installations

Prescott National Forest USFS Fire Center

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Repeater SiteYavapai County ARES/RACES Mt. Union

Repeater and Packet Node site..

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Repeater SiteYavapai County ARES/RACES Mingus Mountain

Repeater site..

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Communications Van

This unit is now based at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building ..

1979 Ford Econoline stretch van once used by the state..

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Communications Van

2007 Dodgen Industries 24’ Mobile Communications Vehicle (MARC)..

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Yavapai County EMCOMM

EL PASO NATURAL GAS

PIPELINE EXERCISE

JUNE 3, 2008

Other Agencies:County OEMYavapai Cnty

SheriffJuniper Woods

FireDPS

El Paso Natural Gas

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Yavapai County EMCOMM

APRIL 3, 2009 WILDFIRE EXERCISE

Exercises are held yearly with

theInteragency Fire

and Emergency

Management Group

(IFEMG) 28

Yavapai County EMCOMM

Email Via Amateur Radio and the Internet

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Yavapai County EMCOMM

Email via Amateur Radio and the Internet

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Why Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio is a communication “system” that utilizes multi-band, multi-mode, wide-area networks that are INDEPENDENT of the “infrastructure” or commercial

power sources.

Cell phones and public service radio (especially newer computer controlled) systems can be among the first to “crash” or become overloaded in major

events.

Effective, accurate, and timely communications during disasters and other emergencies will make a difference

between additional loss of life, injury and loss of property.

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When All Else Fails….

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Not Just When All Else Fails !!!

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Want to be known as an organization that is there to assist when needed….

Work with our served agencies on a regular basis….