Emergency Operation Plan

1.A The Indian River County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is made up of FCC licensed amateur radio operators who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and/or equipment for emergency communications duty.

1.B In accordance with FCC regulations, the contents of messages handled by amateur radio are not divulged to any unauthorized persons. These communications are furnished without any form of compensation. federal regulations also provide that licensed amateurs shall exert direct control over all transmissions on amateur frequencies.

1.C The Indian River County ARES functions under the direction of the Indian River County ARES, Emergency Coordinator (EC), who is appointed by the South Florida Section Communications Manager (SCM), of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

1.D The Indian River County EC may appoint Assistant Emergency Coordinator(s) (AEC) and Operations Coordinator(s) (OC).

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2. Purpose

2.A The purpose of this plan is to provide broad written guidelines with a minimum of information needed in an emergency.

2.B The mission of the Indian River County ARES is to provide radio communications during emergency or disaster situations when regular/normal communications are disrupted, fail or inadequate.

2.C Drills, training and instructions will be carried out on a regular basis to ensure readiness to respond quickly in providing effective amateur radio emergency communications whenever an emergency may arise.

2.D The following agencies may be served during an emergency: American Red Cross, Office of Emergency Management, Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, Forestry Service, Hospitals, Salvation Army, or any other government agency or organization that requests assistance, with direct approval of the EC or his designee. Such communications will be provided within the limitations of equipment and personnel and the EC reserves the right to establish priorities as may be necessary.

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3. Activation Of The Plan

3.A Any member of the Indian River County ARES, who, for any reason, suspects that a communications emergency may exist, should monitor the 145.130MHz repeater for instructions and assignments. If this repeater is not in service, the 444.725MHz (Tx. Tone 100Hz) or 146.775MHz repeaters or simplex frequency 146.555MHz will be utilized, in that order.

3.B The EC or the AEC will activate the Telephone Alert Plan to alert ARES members. Members should notify the EC or AEC, as soon as possible, to establish their availability.

3.C In the event of an emergency, during which the ARES may be of service to the community, any responsible official of Indian River County Emergency Management or any other agency listed in 2.D, may alert the county ARES by notifying the EC or AEC and in their absence, their designated replacement.

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4. Emergency Operations

4.A Indian River County ARES members, upon becoming aware that an emergency exists involving ARES, shall monitor the following frequencies:

a. 145.130MHz repeater to receive instructions or assignments. This is the primary net frequency.

b. 444.725MHz (Tx. Tone 100Hz) repeater and 146.640MHz repeater will be used to carry local information pertaining to the emergency. The 146.775MHz repeater will serve as a backup to the 146.640MHz repeater.

c. 146.555MHz simplex is the primary net frequency during an emergency and as a supplemental frequency when all three repeaters are out of service or assigned for additional traffic by the EC or AEC.

d. 145.730MHz will be the primary packet frequency, if packet is required. Only communications between the EOC, Red Cross, shelters, and other designated locations, will take place on this frequency. NTS traffic should be passed through the various packet bulletin boards, and not on this frequency. Other packet users should refrain from using this frequency during emergencies.

e. 144.390MHz, the National Automatic Packet Reporting System, APRS, frequency will be used in non-localized emergencies. In the event of a local emergency, that may require, or can be enhanced by the use of APRS, 145.730MHz may be used for APRS activity.

4.B Indian River County ARES Net Control will operate from one of the following locations:

a. During minor, localized emergencies, the home station of the EC, AEC or OES acting as net control or a mobile communications unit, when activated and assigned.

b. During County-wide or regional disasters when the Indian River County Office of Emergency Management is in command, is the primary agency being assisted, the Emergency Operations Center at the Administration building in Indian River, will be the base of operations. (Emergency power is available at this location).

4.C During disasters requiring that the net control be at EOC, but which involve the Red Cross, ARES personnel will also be assigned to the radio room at Chapter Headquarters.

4.D The EC will be the net control station (NCS) unless another station is designated by him.

4.E Information concerning the nature of an emergency and the extent of ARES involvement, will be transmitted to all active members as it becomes available and updated, when possible via SITREPs.

4.F Mobile and portable units will be dispatched, within the limits of personnel and equipment, as needed, to locations throughout the county. These locations may be hurricane shelters, hospitals, fire stations, or other locations necessary to support the emergency communications.

4.G ARES members will report enroute to, and upon arrival at, the assigned locations. They will continue to monitor, but notify the NCS, if it is necessary to leave or if relief is needed. Otherwise, transmissions will be made only at the request of the NCS, or for emergency or priority traffic, initiated by the official in charge at that location.

4.H All formal traffic shall be in the standard ARRL message format, unless the NCS directs otherwise. All formal traffic shall be signed by the official who originated the traffic, including the officials title, and by the person who takes responsibility for the traffic. Third parties must give their name and official title. Message procedures of EMERGENCY, PRIORITY, WELFARE, or ROUTINE, as defined by ARRL directives, shall be used for all formal traffic. In addition, the NCS may authorize informal handling of tactical traffic.

4.I Liaison contact will be maintained on the following net frequencies:

a. West Central Florida ARES 3971kHz (tentative)
b. South Florida ARES 3940kHz
c. North Florida ARES 3950 or 7275kHz
d. State ARES 3990.5 or 7253.5kHz
e. Florida Midday Net 7247kHz

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5. Drills, Alerts and Tests

5.A An annual test shall be conducted in conjunction with the nationwide Simulated Emergency Test (SET) program. In addition to, or in lieu of the SET, the ARES will, upon request, participate in emergency or disaster drills conducted or sponsored by the American Red Cross, Emergency Management, or other local government or non-government agencies, as approved by the EC or his designee.

5.B At the discretion of the EC, the ARES can be activated unannounced once per year, for an emergency preparedness test or emergency simulation test.

5.C The Indian River County ARES/NTS net is every Tuesday at 1930 hours local, on the 146.775MHz repeater, for instruction and training in emergency preparedness and the handling of traffic.

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6. Emergency Alert System

6.A Indian River County ARES members will be notified of an emergency and advised of the status with the following condition alerts:

6.B Alert Level One - STANDBY - a potential emergency exists. A hurricane is approaching, there is the possibility of a tornado, flooding, wildfire, or other natural or man-made emergency.

1. Receive notification by telephone alert plan.

2. Monitor designated frequencies for information and assignments.

3. Monitor local radio and television stations for advisories. Monitor designated frequencies for information and assignments. Local TV channels (40, 62, and SNN) will broadcast information issued them by the county EOC or the EC.

4. Secure your home.

5. Charge batteries, assemble radio and personal equipment that is to be taken with you. Have a full tank of gas in your vehicle.

6. Be ready to respond.

6.C Alert Level Two - PRIMARY MOBILIZATION

1. Hurricane is imminent - shelters opening, evacuation begins.

a. Designated members report to ARC Chapter House.
b. Designated members report to EOC at the Administration building.
c. Designated members report to primary shelters. d. Remainder of members standby for relief at primary shelters or assignment to secondary shelters as they are opened.

2. Limited or local emergency - tornado, explosion, fire, plane crash, chemical spill, etc.

a. Designated members report to ARC and/or EOC as directed.

6.D Alert Level Three - FULL EMERGENCY CONDITION - Hurricane is upon us or other serious emergency is in progress.

1. All members assigned are on standby status, depending on the severity and duration of the emergency.

2. Emergency traffic only; repeaters and simplex frequency are closed to all but necessary emergency traffic on the ARES nets.

3. The simplex frequency will be assigned for tactical traffic as needed. Assignment of this frequency will be by the EC, AEC, or an OC.

6.E Alert Level Four - AFTERMATH

1. Assist as necessary with cleanup.

a. Assist government agencies as necessary to supplement their communications and/or substitute for inoperable equipment.
b. Assist with damage assessment.

2. Deliver messages to and from outside areas.

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SECTION TWO

7. Initial Preparation

7.A What to do first in case of an emergency.

1. Check that you and your family are safe and secure before you respond as an ARES volunteer.

2. Check that your property is safe and secure before you respond as an ARES volunteer.

3. Monitor 145.130 MHz repeater.

4. Follow the Instructions you receive from the ARES officials in charge on 145.130 MHz.

5. Contact your local Emergency Coordinator, or his/her designee, for further instructions.

7.B Initial action checklist

The net control station and/or ARES officials on the designated emergency net will provide additional instructions, including information on frequencies used or other resource and tactical nets. Normally, a resource net will enroll volunteers and provide information on how you can assist.

1. Be prepared to operate. Check all equipment and connections.

2. Check-in with your assigned contact. Deploy to assignment with "Ready" kit.

3. Obtain tactical call sign for your location/assignment.

4. Initiate personal event log. This is a log of dates and times of various events you performed while activated. Log any traffic sent or received, and other significant events.

5. Enter assigned frequency(s) on log sheet and on emergency/frequency plan.

6. Use a formal message form when a precise record is required.

7. Use tactical call sign for your location, while observing FCC's ten-minute id rule.

8. Monitor your assigned frequency AT ALL TIMES. Notify NCS if you have to leave.

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8. Equipment And Personal Checklists

8.A Basic deployment equipment checklist

When responding to an emergency event, or even a training excursive, there is a minimum set of equipment and personal gear you should bring with you to get the job done. Basic items include:

1. 2-Meter HT
2. 2-Meter magmount, or other portable emergency antenna and coax
3. Ear-phone
4. Paper and pencil
5. ARES ID card
6. Extra batteries
7. Appropriate clothing
8. Food and water

The majority of these items should be kept in a "Ready Kit". Just pick it up on your way out the door for deployment. You might also consider the items on the following list for inclusion in this ready kit, designed to allow you to stay in the field for up to 72 hours.

8.B Extended (72-hour) deployment equipment checklist

Snacks
Throat lozenges
Prescriptions
First aid kit
Log books
3 day change of clothes
3 day supply of water and food
Flashlight
Candles
Alarm clock
Electrical and Duct tape
Safety glasses
Additional radios, packet gear
Headphones
RF Connectors
Patch cords
Liquid refreshments
Aspirin
Toilet articles
Message forms
Shelter (tent and sleeping bag)
Foul weather gear
Portable stove, Mess and cleaning kit
Batteries
Water proof matches
Toolbox
Soldering iron and solder
VOM
Microphones
Power supplies, chargers
Antennas with mounts
SWR bridge (VHF and HF)
Extra coax
ARRL Standardized Connectors

8.C About your "ready" kit

1. Power - Your radio 72-hour kit should have several sources of power in it, with extra battery packs and an alkaline battery pack for your HT. For mobile VHF and UHF radios, larger batteries are needed. Gel-cell or deep-cycle marine batteries would be good sources of battery power, and you must keep them charged and ready to go. It is also wise to have alternate means available to charge your batteries during the emergency. You can charge smaller batteries from other larger batteries. You can build a solar charging device. If you're lucky, you may have access to a power generator that can be used in place of the normal electrical lines. Have more battery capacity than you think you might need. Have several methods available to connect your radios to different power sources.

2. Gain antennas - You can expect to need some kind of gain antenna for your HT, as well as additional gain antenna that can be used on either your HT or your mobile rig. The extra antenna might be needed by someone else, or your first antenna might break. For VHF and UHF, you can build a J-pole from a TV twinlead, for an inexpensive and very compact antenna. Have several lengths of coax in your kit, totaling at least 50 feet and with barrel connectors to connect them together.

3. Personal - Include staples: water, or a reliable water filtration and purification system, enough food for three days, eating utensils, a drinking cup and, if needed, a means of cooking your food. Shelter is also important. Here, you are only limited by the size of your kit and the thickness of your wallet. Some hams plan to use their RVs as shelter, conditions permitting. Other disaster conditions may make the use of an RV impossible, so you should have several different plans for shelter. Light is important psychologically during an emergency. Make sure that you have several light sources available. Various battery-powered lights are available, and propane or gasoline-fueled lanterns are also good possibilities.

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9. Basic Emergency Program Information

9.A Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public interest when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

ARES Organization

There are three levels of ARES organization - section, district, and local. At the section level, the Section Emergency Coordinator is appointed by the Section Manager (who is elected by the ARRL members in his section) and works under his supervision. In most sections, the SM delegates to the SEC the administration of the section emergency plan and the authority to appoint district and local ECs.

It is at the local level where most of the organization and operation is effected, because this is the level at which most emergencies occur and the level at which ARES leadership makes direct contact with the ARES member-volunteers and with officials of the agencies to be served. The local EC is therefore the key contact in the ARES. The EC is appointed by the SEC, usually on the recommendation of the district EC (DEC). Depending on how the SEC has set up the section for administrative purposes, the EC may have jurisdiction over a small community or a large city, an entire county or even a group of counties. Whatever jurisdiction is assigned, the EC is in charge of all ARES activities in his area, not just one interest group, one agency, one club or one band.

In large sections, the SECs have the option of grouping their EC jurisdictions into "districts" and appointing a district EC to coordinate the activities of the local ECs. In some cases, the districts may conform to the boundaries of governmental planning or emergency-operations districts, while in others they are simply based on repeater coverage or geographical boundaries.

Special-interest groups are headed up by "assistant emergency coordinators" designated by the EC to supervise activities of groups operating in certain bands, especially those groups which play an important role at the local level, but they may be designated in any manner the EC deems appropriate. These assistants, with the EC as chairman, constitute the local ARES "planning committee" and they meet together to discuss problems and plan projects to keep the ARES group active and well-trained.

There are any number of different situations and circumstances that might confront an EC, and his ARES unit should be organized in anticipation of them. There is no specific point at which organization ceases and operation commences. Both phases must be concurrent because a living organization is a changing one, and the operations of a changing organization must change with the organization.

9.B National Traffic System (NTS)

The National Traffic System is designed to meet two principal objectives: rapid movement of traffic from origin to destination, and training amateur operators to handle written traffic and participate in directed nets. NTS operates daily, and consists of four different net levels - Area, Region, Section, and Local - which operate in an orderly time sequence to effect a definite flow pattern for traffic from origin to destination.

Local Nets

Local nets are those which cover small areas such as a community, city, county or metropolitan area, not a complete ARRL section. They usually operate at VHF (typically 2-meter FM) at times and on days most convenient to their members. Some are designated as emergency nets (ARES) nets that do not specialize in traffic handling. Local nets are intended mainly for delivery of traffic. Some NTS local nets operate on a daily basis, just as do other nets of the system, to provide outlets for locally-originated traffic and to route the incoming traffic as closely as possible to its actual destination before delivery - a matter of practice in a procedure that might be required in an emergency. Most local nets and even some section nets in smaller sections are using repeaters to excellent effect. Average coverage on VHF can be extended tenfold or more using a strategically located repeater, and this can achieve a local coverage area wide enough to encompass many of the smaller sections.

Section Nets

Coverage of the section may be accomplished either by individual stations reporting in, by representatives of NTS local nets or both. The section may have more than one net (a CW net, a VHF net and an SSB net, for examples). Section nets are administered by an appointed Section Traffic Manager or Designated Net Managers. The purpose of the section net is to handle intra-section traffic, distribute traffic coming down from higher NTS echelons, and put inter-section traffic in the hands of the amateur designated to report into the next-higher NTS (region) echelon. Therefore, the maximum obtainable participation from section amateurs is desirable.

Operating During Disasters

When a disaster situation arises, NTS is capable of expanding its cyclic operation into complete or partial operation as needed. ECs in disaster areas determine the communications needs and make decisions regarding the disposition of local communications facilities, in coordination with agencies to be served. The SEC, after conferring with the affected DECs and ECs, makes his recommendations to the Section Traffic Manager and/or NTS net managers at section and/or region levels. The decision and resulting action to alert the NTS region management may be performed by any combination of these officials, depending on the urgency of the situation. While the EC is, in effect, the manager of ARES nets operating at local levels, and therefore makes decisions regarding their activation, managers of NTS nets at local, section, region and area levels are directly responsible for activation of their nets in a disaster situation, at the behest of and on the recommendation of ARES or NTS officials at lower levels.

9.C Types of Emergency Nets

1. Tactical Net - The Tactical Net is the front line net employed during an incident, usually used by a single government agency to coordinate with Amateur Radio operations within their jurisdiction, There may be several tactical nets in a single incident depending on the volume of traffic and number of agencies involved. Communications include traffic handling, and resource recruiting.

2. Resource Net - For larger-scale incidents, a Resource Net is used to recruit operators and equipment in support of operations on the Tactical Nets. As an incident requires more operators or equipment, the Resource Net evolves as a check-in place for volunteers to register and receive assignments.

3. Command Net - As the size of an incident increases and more jurisdictions become involved in the incident, a Command Net may become necessary. This net allows the incident managers to communicate with each other to resolve inter- or intra-agency problems, particularly between cities, or within larger jurisdictional areas. It is conceivable that this net could become cluttered with a high volume of traffic. It may also be necessary to create multiple command nets to promote efficiency.

4. Open and Closed Nets - A net may operate as an Open or "free form" net, or as a closed net where a net control station is used to control the flow of transmissions on the channel. Typically, when the amount of traffic is low or sporadic a net control isn't required, and an Open net is used. Stations merely listen before they transmit. When a net is declared a "closed" net, then all transmissions must be directed by the NCS.

9.D Incident Command System (ICS)

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management tool that is rapidly being adopted by professional emergency responders throughout the country. ICS provides a coordinated system of command, communications, organization, and accountability in managing emergency events. Due to the wide spread use of ICS, Amateur Radio operators should be familiar with the system, as well as how they interface with agencies employing ICS.

Integral to the ICS is the concept of Unified Command. There is only one boss, the Incident Commander, who is responsible for the overall operation. For any incident, there are a number of functions that must be performed ranging from planning and logistics to handling the press. The functional requirements of planning, logistics, operations, and finance are always present despite the size of the incident. They may be handled by a single individual for a small incident, or a "Command Staff" in a large incident. Another characteristic of ICS is "span of control." In simple terms, any manager should only directly manage a small number of people. ICS uses the number of five for organizational purposes. The number five isn't hard and fast, but provides a useful organizational guide line.

How does the Amateur Radio volunteer fit into the Incident Command System? We are expected to be communicators, and within the ICS, this would place us in the Logistics Section in the Service Branch as part of the Communications Unit. The communications unit provides all communications services for the operation.

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10. Basic Operating Principles

10.A Principles of Repeater Operation

1. Use minimum power. Otherwise, especially in heavily populated areas, you may run the risk of keying more that one repeater, thus causing unnecessary QRM. Low power also conserves batteries.

2. Use simplex, whenever possible. Use a gain antenna at fixed locations for simplex operation.

3. Observe the "pause" procedure between exchanges. When it is your turn to transmit, after the transmitting station stands by, count to two or three before pressing your transmit switch.

4. Listen much, transmit little. Announce your presence on a repeater when you are certain of being able to assist in an emergency, and don't tie it up with idle chatter.

5. Monitor local ARES net frequency, when otherwise not busy.

6. Think before you talk. Anyone with an inexpensive public-service-band receiver can monitor. Stick to facts, control your emotions. Remember, during an emergency is the time when you are most apt to act and speak rashly.

7. Articulate, don't slur. Speak close to your mike, but talk across it, not into it. Keep your voice down. In an emergency situation one often gets excited and tends to shout. Talk slowly, calmly - this is the mark of an experienced communicator.

10.B Principles of Disaster Communication

1. Keep the QRM level down. In a disaster, crucial stations may be weak. All other stations should remain silent unless they are called upon. If you're not sure you should transmit, don't.

2. Monitor established disaster frequencies. Many ARES localities and some geographical areas have established disaster frequencies where someone is always (or nearly always) monitoring for possible calls.

3. Avoid spreading rumors. During and after a disaster situation, especially on the phone bands, you may hear almost anything. Unfortunately, much misinformation is transmitted. Rumors are started by expansion, deletion, amplification or modification of words, exaggeration or interpretation. All addressed transmissions should be officially authenticated as to their source. These transmissions should be repeated word for word, if at all, only when specifically authorized.

4. Authenticate all messages. Every message which purports to be of an official nature should be written and signed. Whenever possible, amateurs should avoid initiating disaster or emergency traffic themselves. We do the communicating; the agency officials we serve supply the content of the communications.

5. Strive for efficiency. Whatever happens in an emergency, you will find hysteria and some amateurs who are activated by the thought that they must be sleepless heroes. Instead of operating your own station full time at the expense of your health and efficiency, it is much better to serve a shift at one of the best-located and best-equipped stations, suitable for the work at hand, manned by relief shifts of the best-qualified operators. This reduces interference and secures well-operated stations.

6. Select the mode and band to suit the need. It is characteristic of all amateurs to believe that their favorite mode and band is superior to all others. However, the merits of a particular band or mode in a communications emergency should be evaluated impartially with a view to the appropriate use of bands and modes. There is, of course, no alternative to using what happens to be available, but there are ways to optimize available communications.

7. Use all communications channels intelligently. While the prime object of emergency communications is to save lives and property (anything else is incidental), Amateur Radio is a secondary communications means; normal channels are primary and should be used if available. Emergency channels other than amateur which are available in the absence of amateur channels should be utilized without fear of favoritism in the interest of getting the message through.

8. Don't "broadcast". Some stations in an emergency situation have a tendency to emulate "broadcast" techniques. While it is true that the general public may be listening, our transmissions are not and should not be made for that purpose.

9. NTS and ARES leadership coordination. Within the disaster area itself, the ARES is primarily responsible for emergency communications support. The first priority of those NTS operators who live in or near the disaster area is to make their expertise available to their Emergency Coordinator (EC) where and when needed. For timely and effective response, this means that NTS operators should talk to their ECs before the time of need so that they will know how best to respond.

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11. Appendix

11.A Message Form

Scroll down below to find out more information on filling out message forms.

Number - This is the number of your message. Begin with 1 each month or year.

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Precedence - One of these precedence codes will follow the message number:

Emergency - Any message having life and death urgency to any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial facilities. This includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials, or instructions vital to relief of stricken populace in emergency areas. During normal times, it will be very rare. When in doubt, do not use it.

Priority - Important messages having a specific time limit. Official messages not covered in the Emergency category. Press dispatches and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notification of death or injury in a disaster are, personal or official.

Welfare - A message that is either a) an inquiry as to the health of an individual in the disaster area or b) an advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates all is well, should carry this precedence. These messages are handled after Emergency and Priority traffic, but before routine.

Routine - Most traffic in normal times will bear this designation. In disaster situations, traffic labled Routine should be handled last, or not at all when circuits are busy with Emergency, Priority, or Welfare traffic.

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Handling Instructions (optional)

HXA - (followed by number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addresse within ... miles. (If no number, authorization is unlimited.)

HXB - (Followed by number) Cancel message if not delivered within ... hours of filing time; service originating station.

HXC - Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station.

HXD - Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered, report date, time, and method of delivery.

HXE - Delivery station get reply from addressee, originating message back.

HXF - (Followed by number) Hold delivery until ... (date).

HXG - Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll call or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.

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Station Of Origin - The first amateur handler.

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Check - Number or words/groups in text only.

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Place Of Origin - City or town from where message is sent. Not necessarily location of station of origin.

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Time Filed - The time message is filed. Optional with originating station.

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Date - The date the message was filed.

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Address - Address of person who will receive this message. Be as complete as possible, include zip code.

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Telephone Number - Telephone number of person who will receive this message. Provide the complete phone number, including area code.

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Text - This is the text of the message. Limit message to 25 words or less, if possible. Note that "X", when used in the text as punctuation, counts as a word.

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Signature - This is the name of the person sending the message. It does not count as a word.

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Received - During an emergency, an official who receives the message, should sign in the box. Otherwise, the amateur who receives the message signs. Message forms may vary, so if this area is not on the form, you may sign on the back of the form.

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Sent - During an emergency, an official who sends the message, should sign in the box. Otherwise, the amateur who sends the message signs. Message forms may vary, so if this area is not on the form, you may sign on the back of the form.

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11.B Internet and E-mail

1. Information on ARES activities can be found on the Indian River County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Web Site, which is located at www.vbarc.net/ARES .

2. Emergency information can be found on the Florida Emergency Operation Center Web Site, http://www.floridadisaster.org/eoc/Update/Home.asp.

3. A Indian River County ARES E-mail mailing list is used to keep members informed and to alert them of any potential activation. ARES members who have e-mail capabilities, will be added to this mailing list when they join ARES.

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Information in "Section Two", is taken from the ARES Field Resources Manual, A Quick Trainer and Resource Guide for the Emergency Communicator, published and available from the ARRL.

Used with permission.