ARES FIREWATCH PORTABLE

ARES also operates fire watch patrols for the U.S. Hams provide communications assistance for “health and welfare” messages, keeping agencies in touch with each other, and letting anxious relatives far away know about the status of loved ones. In addition, the Santa Barbara ARES has an agreement with Direct Relief International. Hospitals – ARES provides an important role in maintaining emergency communications between all hospitals in Santa Barbara County and the County Emergency Medical Services Emergency Operations Center.Īgencies – Nationally and in Santa Barbara County, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are linked with amateur radio through formal service agreements.

There are ARES units serving Santa Barbara South Coast, the Santa Ynez Valley, the Lompoc Valley, and the Santa Maria area. In fact, Federal Communications Commission rules strictly prohibit compensation for any kind of services rendered by amateur radio operators.Ĭommunities – If you are an elected or appointed public official who represents a municipality in Santa Barbara County, ARES representatives will be delighted to explain how amateur radio can offer reliable backup for your public safety communications. This communications service is absolutely free. Any agency which requests assistance through the County Office of Emergency Services.Īmateur radio is an integral part of the emergency plans of each of these key community service agencies.Various cities, through fire and police departments, and other community agencies.Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services.Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services.

ARES FIREWATCH PORTABLE

Mountain top repeater stations are maintained to allow VHF/UHF communications throughout the county and a portable repeater is available to set up in the field.Īmateur radio emergency communications service agreements are in place with several public agencies and community organizations in the Santa Barbara area. If you desire them to use or operate your equipment, they can usually do so with minimum instruction.ĪRES has available, mostly through its affiliation with the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, a number of resources, including a fully-equipped radio communications center at the Club’s facility at the American Red Cross in Santa Barbara, one in a mobile communications van, and another at the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operating Center.

Fires, floods, earthquakes, major accidents, power outages … virtually any disruption of normal services brings out the amateur radio emergency teams.Īmateur Radio Emergency Service communicators come with their own radios and peripheral equipment and supplies to be completely self-sufficient. Whenever regular communications channels are down or are overloaded, these amateur radio operators are ready to provide a temporary and reliable backup system. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is part of the American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) extensive volunteer field organization dedicated to public service. Today, amateur radio operators can provide countywide communications between the County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and the EOC in each city and between the County Emergency Medical Services EOC and every hospital. In 1938, local hams proved radio contact could be established between city fire stations. In the 1925 earthquake, amateur radio operators established contact with the outside world to request assistance for the community. Members of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club have a long history of emergency service communications. You’ll find many Amateur Radio operators enjoy using their skills and equipment to help their communities by providing communications for public service events like parades and walk-a-thons and in emergency service activities such as searches and disaster relief. In fact, it’s one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service defined by the FCC. Information about the Santa Barbara South County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (A.R.E.S.)Īmateur Radio has always had a responsibility to perform communications in the public service.

Ares firewatch