ARES Mobilization & Response

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ARES Mobilization

Once an agency has activated ARES, whoever receives that activation shall attempt to contact the DEC and all appropriate EC's. If none can be found, then the contacted person is in charge and becomes the Shift Supervisor. Each group will determine at that time how the requested personnel will be contacted.

Alerting by Telephone

Calls by the Shift Supervisor will place the phone tree into operation for each required group. The procedure is as follows:

• The first person is to take one half of the list.
• Whoever is called should take one half of that part of the list.
• Continue splitting the list until each caller contacts approximately ten people.
• Calls should be made in the order of priority as listed in the Call Priority (CP) column (one of A, 1, or 2) on the roster.

ARES emergency activation may be accomplished by telephone, if the system is operational. If telephone services are impaired, the emergency radio network shall be utilized. It is therefore important that every member begin monitoring the assigned frequencies for his group upon becoming aware of an emergency situation. If a Resource Net has been activated, the Resource Net Control Station (NCS) should be informed of your availability and capabilities. (In the early minutes following a disaster, both tactical and resource operations may be taking place on the same frequency.)

When the requirements for personnel have been determined, this information will be provided to the Resource NCS. As detailed requirements become known, the decision will be made as to whether further contacts must be made to recruit additional personnel. The Resource NCS will coordinate the assignment of personnel in cooperation with the EC's and DEC. The EC's and DEC will decide when other ARES groups should be contacted for assistance.

Quick Reference Guide for ARES Tactical Station Operators

1. Location of station:
   Shift Time:
   Date:
2. Take with you:
   • Radio
   • Spare batteries
   • Mag-mount antenna
   • Pens or pencils
   • Note paper
   • Map(s) as needed
   • SLVARES Message Log Sheets
   • ARRL Format message forms
   • Headphones (with adapter as needed)
   • Amateur Radio License or suitable copy
   • ARES Identification Card
   • Food & drink for duration of shift
   • Clothes & shoes appropriate for operation.
3. Check in with the Resource Net one half-hour prior to your scheduled time.
4. Be at your station 10 minutes prior to the assigned time to begin operations in order to obtain orientation, situation updates, procedures and carry-over traffic.
5. Call NCS and check yourself in and check out the person leaving.
6. Use only the tactical call sign/name of your station, except:
   • At the end of a series of transmissions,
   • every ten minutes if the transmission is longer than ten minutes.
7. Log all messages on the ARES tactical message log (or a full-size 8 1/2" x 11" paper consecutively numbered if no sheet is available). You are required to track the page number, date, time, message number, sending station and message text of all traffic carried.
8. General ARES operating practice includes several responsibilities and cautions. As an ARES communicator, use good judgement as to the information you transmit. As all transmissions are public, there may be many people listening. Be sure that the information is factual, and that the proper authority has released the message. Avoid transmitting names, addresses, deaths, or other such traffic if it can be avoided. For sensitive information or traffic, attempt to use other means such as land-line, packet, SSB, messengers, etc.

   Use caution when dealing with the press. While it is OK to publicize amateur radio and the ARES, public relations people for served agencies should deal with any information pertinent to the emergency.

9. Close your station only at the direction of NCS. If you feel that you are no longer needed, call the NCS and advise them of your situation, and ask for directions. You may not close a station down without prior approval from the NCS.
10. Closing down a station requires the following procedure:
    • Collect all log sheets and sort in chronological order.
    • Ask the NCS for disposition of the log sheets.
    • Put any station equipment away. Call the Resource Net as needed to determine the appropriate location for station equipment.
    • Clean up the station (putting furniture, etc. back where it belongs).
    • Check out with the served agency managing authority at your station.

Emergency Responder Guidelines

There are some basic rules for responding on an emergency net following an event such as an earthquake.

• If you are using a repeater when the event occurs, immediately stop transmitting. In general, make it a habit to pause occasionally to listen whenever you use a repeater!
• Listen carefully to the NCS. Respond only if called, or if instructed to do so.
• When responding to a request for situation reports, be brief but informative. The NCS will ask for damage reports first. Initial assesment of damage and casualties should emphasize factuality. Do not speculate or add commentary.
• Your report should include your precise location; don't assume everyone knows where you are (even if you're at home!).
• Do not request information about the event. The NCS will provide periodic summary situation reports; stay informed by listening to the NCS.

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