Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a nation wide public service group organized primarily by county. Becoming a member of the Trinity County ARES group is free and only requires that you be a licensed ham radio operator and complete an ARES Registration form. You will be provided access to all the training you need to be part of emergency communications efforts during Disasters and Emergencies.

Besides Emergency Service, our members also provide communications for community events, such as horse events in the forest, bike rides, etc.   

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Volunteer Registration Form (PDF)

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Strategic Plan (PDF)

Training and Readiness: 

• Members undergo regular training in emergency procedures through simulated emergency drills.
• Members are trained to use a variety of communication methods, such as VHF, UHF and HF frequencies, as well as digital modes.

Coordination with Local Authorities:

• ARES works in partnership with local emergency management teams, hospitals and other response agencies.
• They may set up communications centers in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support relief activities and provide situational awareness.

Public Service:

• Apart from disaster response, ARES members also provide communication support during events like marathons, parades, or other public events where communication might be challenging.

How ARES works:

• Membership:  To join ARES, you must have an amateur radio license.  See: Study for FCC tests.
• Local Networks:  ARES operates locally, with each county or region typically having its own ARES group.  These groups are often coordinated by an Emergency Coordinator (EC) who organizes training, drills and responses.
• Activation:  In the event of a disaster or emergency, local ARES groups may be activated to support affected areas.  Volunteers may be asked to deploy to specific locations, provide communications, or assist in organizing logistics.
   

 Trinity County ARES Volunteers