Emergency Communication Services Provided by Amateur Radio Operators
Public service communication has been a traditional responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service since 1913. In today's Amateur Radio, disaster work is a highly organized and worthwhile part of day-to-day operation, implemented principally through the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) and the National Traffic System (NTS), both sponsored by ARRL. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), independent nets and other amateur public service groups are also a part of the ARRL recognized Amateur Radio public service efforts.
ARRL has several publications that can help you in your puiblic-service activities. Find out about them in the Public Service section of the ARRL Publications Catalog.
There are many community service organizations that one can become involved with as an Amateur Radio Operator. Each has a special place in the community.
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (A.R.E.C.)
A.R.E.C. is a service of the Amateur Radio Relay League, the A.R.R.L., which is the nation's foremost organization representing amateur radio. A.R.E.C. membership does not require government appointment and may be participated in by hams of all ages. If anyone is interested in becoming an AREC member, please contact David Trentham(EC) at 892-4283 or Bill Bishop (AEC) at 892-3631.Starting 2006, AREC will meet after the WCARC meetings.
A.R.E.C. members are very important to the community, and many are also involved in other forms of community service with other amateur radio related and non ham-related organizations.
Local AREC Net: Local AREC training net meets each Monday evening at 8PM local time on 146.700 repeater located in Milton,Florida.
West Florida Panhandle District Emergency Plan. (Adobe File).Download. (You will need a copy of the latest version of the Adobe Reader, available here.)
Membership -- All local Amateur Radio operators may apply for membership in AREC by going Here and filling out the membership form found on the AREC page, or contact one of the people listed below.
Joe Bushel, W2DWR
Section Emergency Coordinator
Northern FloridaBobby Tyree, K4BRT
District Emergency Coordinator
Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP
Section Manager
Northern FloridaSteve Richbourg, KO4TT
Asst. Section Manager
Northern FloridaGene Bannon, KB4HAH
Emergency Coordinator
Escambia CountySean Flynn, KI4IIB
Emergency Coordinator
Okaloosa CountyMalcolm Reed, KG4IDV
Emergency Coordinator
Santa Rosa CountyDavid Trentham, KG4IDW
Emergency Coordinator
Walton County
AREC Links
West Panhandle AREC
Southern Florida AREC
Seminole County AREC
Skywarn/NTS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, N.O.A.A., and the National Weather Service created the SKYWARN program so that trained storm spotters could assist them during weather emergencies. SKYWARN participants are required to attend a SKYWARN class every two years, where they are instructed in the basics of thunderstorm formation and tornadic activity.
During a SKYWARN net, the National Weather Service monitors the radio frequencies where spotters are relaying information to their net control stations, and working as a team, with the spotters,
more advanced and accurate warnings can be issued, saving lives.National Traffic System
The National Traffic System is a network
of volunteer ham radio operators that relay hundreds of messages across the
country and around the world via radio every day. The primary goal of NTS is to
train hams for emergencies when amateur radio may be the only means of
communication into and out of disaster areas.
