2. AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE (ARES) ORGANIZATION

In accordance with treaties agreed to under the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), most nations allocate valuable space in the frequency spectrum to the Amateur Radio Service. This is in recognition of the amateurs ability to immediately respond in the time of need to establish communications where none existed or, to supplement existing emergency radio services overloaded with disaster communications. By selection of the appropriate frequency band, amateurs are capable of communicating worldwide, within a specific geographical region or may limit communications to a local level. Under FCC Rules and Regulations, Amateur Radio operators are prohibited from receiving any kind of compensation or providing communications that further the conduct of any business. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), which is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) provides supplementary or emergency communications for state or local civil preparedness agencies and other organizations during peaceful times.

2.1 Directors

The United States is divided into 15 divisions by the ARRL. These divisions elect a director and a vice director to represent them on the ARRL's Board of Directors. The Board determines the policies of the League and are all-powerful in the conduct of ARRL affairs. A Director's function is principally policy making at the highest level and is carried out by the Headquarters staff.

2.2 Section Manager

The 15 divisions are further broken down into 69 sections, and a Section Manager (SM) is elected. The Section Manager in cooperation with the director, fosters and encourages all ARRL activities within the section and recruits and appoints nine section-level assistants to serve under their general supervision and to administer these programs. Among them are: emergency communications, message traffic and state government liaison.

2.3 Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)

The Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) is appointed by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Northwestern Division Manager to take care of all matters pertaining to emergency communications and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) on a state or sub-state wide basis.

2.4 District Emergency Coordinator (DEC)

The District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) is appointed by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Western Washington Section Manager as the manager primarily responsible for area-wide coordination of ARES activities. The DEC recruits and appoints Emergency Coordinators in each of his/her districts. In Washington, there are 13 districts. Mason county resides in the first district, on the Olympic Peninsula.

2.5 ARRL ARES Positions Within Mason County

The Mason County ARES consists of several local groups operating under a national plan for organizing amateur radio efforts in providing public service communications during times of disaster. The following ARES positions have been established.

2.5.1 Emergency Coordinator (EC)

The Emergency Coordinator (EC) is responsible for the promotion and enhancement of activities of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service for public service at the local level. Each jurisdictional area has its own Emergency Coordinator. The EC is generally responsible for promoting the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) for the benefit of the public as a voluntary non-commercial communications service through:

* Resource planning

* Recruiting and training of volunteers

* Establishing and maintaining liaison with served agencies

* Administration of on-going programs

* Overall amateur radio operational control during emergency and disaster situations

During disasters, Emergency Coordinators maintain liaison with the County Government Center to coordinate city/county amateur radio activities.

2.5.2 Assistant Emergency Coordinator

Assistant Emergency Coordinator's (AEC) are selected and appointed by the EC. Each EC may have as many AEC's as required to effectively manage the ARES unit. The Emergency Coordinator may appoint assistants who are responsible for managing specific activities necessary to establish and develop a viable ARES unit. In a major disaster operation, several managers will be required for each operational activity. These roles can best be played by people who have advance preparation for the job and local knowledge.

On a county wide basis, Assistant Emergency Coordinators are appointed for specialized service which include, but are not limited to: Communications Van, Fire Service, Medical communications, Search and Rescue and Packet Radio.

2.5.3 Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Operations

An Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) for Operations is an individual who has experience with communications in a field environment and can provide direction to those working with him/her and also provides communications liaison with the served agency.