The Shiawassee County ARPSC coordinates local activity and is where our local efforts start (this can be for any 'locally triggered' event ~ different than RACES.). The ARES group provides communication during emergency operations or local sanctioned events. When other forms of public communications do not satisfy requirements our local needs, our group activates. Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs can communicate with each other for fun or during emergency support efforts. The local group practice events sharpen our radio skills and meets any local challenges as they appear. The regular communication practice amateurs get during training events keeps skills sharp and makes for effective communications during a 'real' need. Our group is in support of the County Emergency manager's office and we register and support those efforts. The Emergency Manager works under the wing of 'Homeland Security'. The group is thus better able to handle messages for police and other public service organizations as required. Due to the 'regular practice' of our skills, we become much better equipped to doing local communication. It is very important to keep your individual local communication skills sharp!
SARA maintains some equipment [club owned] for use with in our ARES and Skywarn activities. The club insures that this equipment is ready whenever it may be needed. On 09 July 2024, the ARES/Skywarn meeting was moved to be part of the regular SARA club meetings (monthly at 7:00 PM local ~was bi-monthly) and we stopped the separate ARES/Skywarn meetings.
Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinator [EC] for Shiawassee County (Communications):
[Position is "Open"] ~ Are you interested? = Contact Us!
Email via:TBD (at) arrl.net (replace 'at' with @)
Phone (cell) is: blank
The county has two assistant ECs:
Kevin Middleton, K8MID
Don Warner, WB8GUS
They assist Phil in local activities. There are several local hams registered and are the real workers for activation of event support. This group handles the coordination of ARES, RACES & Skywarn Communications for Shiawassee county.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire at the local level for specific information. Because ARES is an amateur radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
How to Get Involved in ARES: Fill out the ARES Registration form and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator.
NOTE: You must 'pre-register' to be able to assist during any emergency event! Get it done early so you can add to the local resources we can utilize a the critical times.
Use 7232 kHz [80M] or 1892 khz [160M] as required or if required.
Others frequencies can also be announced! Also, try searching: ARRL.org for additional information during emergency events.