What do Amateur Radio operators do during and after disasters?
Amateur Radio operators set up and operate organized communication networks locally for governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster. Amateur Radio operators are most likely to be active after disasters that damage regular lines of communications due to power outages and destruction of telephone, cellular and other infrastructure-dependent systems.
How do Amateur Radio operators help local officials?
Many radio amateurs are active as communications volunteers with local public safety organizations. In addition, in some disasters, radio frequencies are not coordinated among relief officials and Amateur Radio operators step in to coordinate communications when power, radio towers, antennas and other elements in the communications infrastructure are damaged or unavailable.
What are the major Amateur Radio Emergency Organizations?
Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communications during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local "traffic nets" using VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). At the state level, hams are often involved with state emergency management operations. In addition, hams operate at the national level through the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) authorized by the Federal Communications Commission, and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), which is coordinated through the American Radio Relay League and its field volunteers. In addition, many hams are involved in the National Weather Service's SKYWARN program which uses amateur radio to report current weather conditions.
Is Amateur Radio recognized as a resource by national relief organizations?
Yes. Amateur Radio has been referred to as an "Under Utilized National Resource" in the U.S. Senate.
Many national and local organizations have formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other Amateur Radio groups including:
- Department of Homeland Security -- Citizen Corps
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- County Agencies such as the Office of Emergency Mgmt & Homeland Security
- National Communications System
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- National Weather Service
- Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
In Pima County Arizona, our "RACES" group operates under the direction of the County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
What are some examples of emergencies involving Amateur Radio?
- Hurricane Wilma, Florida - October 2005
- Hurricane Katrina & Rita, Lousiana, Mississippi & Alabama - Aug/Sep 2005
- Hurricanes Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne in Florida -- 2004
- Severe weather in Virginia -- May 2004
- Tornadoes in Illinois -- April 2004
- Amtrak train accident in Mississippi -- April 2004
- Earthquake in Central California -- December 2003
- Hurricane Isabel -- September 2003
- Northeast blackout -- August 2003
- Midwest tornadoes -- May 2003
- Shuttle Columbia recovery effort -- February 2003
- Wildfires in Colorado -- June 2002
- Tornado in Maryland -- April 2002
- Flooding in Kentucky -- March 2002
- World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks -- September 2001
- And many many more natural and man made disasters.
Why would anyone want a bunch of "Amateurs" working an Emergency?
Glad you asked. The term "Amateur Radio" rarely defines the calibur and skill level of most licensed Amateur Radio Operators. This is especially true of those who are part of a well trained and organized Emergency Communications group. Originally, the name "Amateur Radio Service" was used as a way to distinguish us from professionals who "are paid" for their services. Amateur Radio operators are strictly forbidden from accepting any compensation for their Amateur Radio services beyond reimbursement of expenses. Even reimbursement is rarely offered. Thus the name, "Amateur" Radio.
Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio???
On the Internet for information at the national level: http://www.arrl.org