"I filled out an application to join ARES®. Now what?"

First of all, welcome! Emergency communications is a great opportunity to develop and use your amateur radio skills in a positive and meaningful way. Like many of us, you may find the art of emergency communications challenging and rewarding.

St. Louis County ARES® does not believe that "one size fits all". There are many different ways that you can assist us in serving our community. Precisely where you fit in and what you do will depend on your interests and how active you are. We will make various opportunities available, but after that it's up to you.

"When all else fails... Amateur Radio"

Here are our recommendations on how to become an effective emergency communicator.

Step 1: Join St. Louis County ARES®.

Congratulations! You've already achieved Step 1!

Step 2: Keep up with what's happening.

The St. Louis County ARES® Web site, http://www.stlares.org, is a good place to keep abreast of the news. So is our weekly 2 meter net on the 146.850 repeater (negative offset, CTCSS tone of 141.3 Hz).

Step 3: Stay in touch.

Let us know that you are interested by checking-in to our weekly 2 meter net and by attending the monthly meetings. If you can't participate in the net or attend our monthly meetings, contact the Emergency Coordinator every now and then and chat with him about emergency communications.

Step 4: Learn what emergency communications is about.

Before you go any further we strongly recommend that you take the ARECC Level I (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course, level 1). Even if you have years of emergency communications experience it is extremely important that you take this course. It explains the role of amateur radio during disasters, how volunteers are viewed by professionals, how to prepare yourself, and broadly how ARES® works. We cannot overemphasize the importance of this course. It is offered on the Web by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League).

Alternative: You may also obtain the course book and study on your own. The ARRL will send you a certificate if you take and pass the exam, but we are less concerned with the certificate than we are in having you grasp the material.

Step 5: Become active.

Once you have taken ARECC Level I you will have a better idea of what you might like to do within St. Louis County ARES®. Some members want to perform tasks that allow them to practice their on-air skills. Yet others prefer to teach, or handle administrative tasks, or work on strictly technical issues.

Regardless of your skill level, there is a critical role for you in emergency communications.

Step 6: "To infinity and beyond!" - Buzz Lightyear

From here on we can only make suggestions. We do not expect you to do everything. Some of these ideas will appeal to you and others will not. All we ask is that you keep learning, keep improving, and be open to new things. There should never be a point where you say to yourself, "Okay, there's nothing else I need to know. I'm as ready as I need to be."

Deployment:

Not all ARES® members can deploy, and some do not wish to deploy. Deployment is not automatic. If you would like to deploy during emergencies, you should -

  1. Take the ARECC Level I course. It is vital.
  2. Participate in our nets and exercises as often as possible.
  3. Learn how to handle formal traffic.
  4. Take FEMA online courses IS100 and IS700.
    Don't panic, they are not lengthy or difficult. Many served agencies now require that volunteers take these courses.
  5. When you feel you are ready, inform the Emergency Coordinator that you'd like to be placed on the "deployment list".
You may have noted that there is no mention of equipment. Having your own equipment and "go bag" is a definite plus, but having the proper knowledge and training is much more important.

Suggestions for continued advancement

  • Participate in our events and drills
    Participating in our drills and other events will give you valuable experience, not only in emergency communications, but in preparing for the unexpected.

  • Keep learning and keep improving your skills
    You should never stop learning. See the training page for recommended courses and opportunities. We strongly recommend that you take the ARECC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course). We also suggest that you keep working on your basic radio skills. You might think about upgrading your amateur radio license, working on your Morse code, or improving your understanding of how radio works.

  • Be prepared
    Personal preparedness is vital. Do you have a plan for your family if a disaster strikes? Is your equipment ready to go? Do you have a "go bag"? Will you be able to help or will you be in need of help?

    We can help you prepare yourself. We will periodically discuss "go bags" and other personal preparedness issues at the monthly meetings.

  • Help recruit new members
    The communities and agencies want us. We need many more members if we are going to be of service.

  • Share your ideas with us
    It's a team! Let us know what YOU think.

  • Check in to Missouri Emergency Services Net
    If you have HF capabilities, check in to the Missouri Emergency Services Net on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM. The net is held on 3.963 MHz, LSB.

  • Create your own place within the team
    We are finding that an ARES® team can be almost as diverse as the amateur radio hobby itself. Are you a good public speaker? Are you into packet radio? Do you know how to fabricate an antenna out of spare parts? Do you have administrative skills? Are you a good organizer? There is almost certainly something you enjoy doing which would benefit the team.

  • Volunteer to work at public events
    Volunteer to help with communications at walk-a-thons and similar events. There are several such events in the area. Working at them provides good communications and team-effort experience.

Here are some of the jobs that need to be filled. We could use -

  • Net Controllers
    Run the weekly net! You won't have to do it every week, just once in a while would help. We will help you get started.

  • Speakers for our meetings
    Do you have some information, skill, or experience you'd like to share with us?

  • People to help man the ARES® table at hamfests

  • People to mention the ARES® net on other regular nets

  • Teachers
    If you are a CI (Certified Instructor), please consider teaching an ARECC course locally.
    If you have any other knowledge or skills you feel you can impart to others, think about volunteering to teach. We may also need people to teach non-hams some basic communications skills and radio / network procedures.

  • Mentors and mentor teams
    St. Louis County ARES® has begun recruiting individuals, and sometimes whole teams to act as mentors in specialized areas. For example, there is a team dedicated to teaching members how to build field stations. We are also looking for individuals to help members put together go-bags, make emergency antennas, and so forth.

  • Specialty teams
    St. Louis County ARES® is considering organizing other teams to perform specialized tasks. Keep watching the Web site and listening to the weekly net for more information.

  • Helping hands
    Something always needs to be lifted, moved, carried, handed out, retrieved, or set up. Helping hands are always welcome.
© 2008 St. Louis County ARES®

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