Hams During 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 cellular, internet and telephone lines.
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 communication when radio towers and other elements in the normal communications infrastructure are damaged.
Major Amateur Radio Emergency Organizations
Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communication during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local "traffic nets".
At the state level, hams are often involved with state emergency management operations. In addition, hams operate at the national level through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) which is coordinated through the American Radio Relay League and its field volunteers and through the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) which is coordinated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In addition, in areas that are prone to severe weather, many hams are involved in Skywarn, operating under the National Weather Service.
Amateur Radio Recognized as a Resource by National Relief Organizations
Many national organizations have formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
Department of Homeland Security - Citizen Corps
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Communications System
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
National Weather Service
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
- From an ARRL News Release
