EMa ARES Membership Policy

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a program sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL); a.k.a the League. My staff and I are proud of the amateur radio volunteers in the ARES organization of the Eastern Massachusetts Section (EMa). We have distinguished ourselves in service to the Taunton office of the National Weather Service through our SKYWARN program, a history of service to the nine county area in which we reside, and with national emergencies as recently as the September 11, 2001 attack. While our members are well trained and motivated, we feel there is still much we can do to be responsive to the challenges that may confront us in the future. We will always prioritize protecting and serving our homes and communities first, then assist others as soon as and well as we can.

You can also get to know the program better by signing up for an ARES Workshop held at various locations around the section 2-3 a year. Please click on the button in the upper left column entitled “Traing/Workshops”. Our EMa ARES net meets every first Monday of the month on the MMRA net at 2030 except when there is a federal holiday. When there is a federal holiday, the net is on the second Monday of the month. This coincides with the RACES Nets held earlier on the first Monday of the month or the second Monday of the month, if the first Monday is a holiday. Please visit www.mmra.org on the World Wide Web for information on their network and this outstanding club.

Thanks again for your interest, and I look forward to working with you. 73.

Robert D. Macedo
ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section

 

Amateur Radio is a wonderful hobby that appeals to people on many personal levels. We recognize that one of the attractions to many hams is a rugged individualism, in that they can participate in the hobby on their own terms, and share the experience with other hams when and where they choose.

To be a public service volunteer, however, demands a different attitude and skill set. The volunteer has to have a strong motivation to help a client organization, or community in need. He/she recognizes the importance of dedication, motivation, training, and cooperation, in getting the job done. This includes occasionally taking direction from authorized leaders in ARES, and in those organizations we serve. Participation is a conscience decision of the ham to accept these challenges and responsibilities. Be assured that very well trained and experienced hams, both in the technical aspects of communication, and emergency response, staff your ARES leadership. I consider it a distinct honor and privilege to head such a talented organization.

My policy as head of the EMa ARES program is that all assignments are to be given only to those ARES members who are properly motivated, trained, and equipped for the mission. Moreover, assignments are always made on a purely volunteer basis to those personnel who are available, and we feel are the best qualified for the job. This means the member is always asked to accept an assignment in advance, regardless of seniority of membership, skills, or previous level of activity, and then only after being briefed thoroughly. Acceptance by you means that you understand the opportunities, challenges, and risks of any assignment offered by the ARES leadership.

 

Please include any previous training you have had for ARES, such as our workshop course, or the new online courses offered through the League. If you don’t have previous training, that does not affect your application. It helps us determine who will need training. The form has been revised to help us identify important capabilities such as antenna specialization (e.g. beams, NVIS, direction finding, etc.); and various modern data capabilities (e.g. PSK-31). Use any open area to liberally describe your capabilities, such as on the back of the form or a separate sheet of paper. Additionally, please be “honest” about your interests in the hobby, and not what you may think we are looking for.

The more varied our membership and capabilities, the better off we will be! Indicate your current (and past) ham radio club affiliation(s); MARS/CAP, and/or those outside of the hobby such as REACT, CB clubs, and GMRS/FRS user groups. Please tell us if you have training to use other communications systems. Any skill or affiliation you have with marine and/or aviation is particularly interesting. In addition, any other group affiliations past and present (e.g. boy/girl scouts, community service groups, etc.) can be useful to us, so sing out! Of course, computer skill sets are very important. Believe it or not, we also need the services of hams who could also perform duties as security personnel (career police/security professionals, former MP; administrators, clerks, bookkeepers, drivers, and cooks! The September 11 emergency taught us to broaden our capabilities.

Please list all your email and pager/cell phone capabilities, and prioritize if you want. The home phone is very important as it is considered a nighttime/weekend number. If you have a more reliable way that the ARES leadership can contact you at night/weekend, please indicate that as well. All information is EMa ARES use only, and you can flag any item as sensitive or for special handling (i.e. limited distribution, etc.) if you so desire.