Duval County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) When all normal means of communications fail!

PART 2: WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO?

MISSION

Goal Statement: The goal of the Duval County Amateur Radio Emergency Service is two-fold:
1. To provide backup and overflow communications resources when called upon in a manner that effectively meets the emergency-communications needs of all of our served agencies, and
2. To accomplish all steps necessary to recruit, train, equip and organize a team of volunteer amateur operators capable of carrying out goal 1) above.

Discussion: During the early phases of any area-wide emergency, it can be predicted that existing communications systems used daily by most agencies, particularly public safety, may fail or become severely overloaded. Other communications services, particularly cellular, PCS and wireless telephones will also be affected in a like manner.

ARES Communicators may be called upon to supply communications services where no established links exist, or to supplement existing systems when they become disabled or overloaded. Public safety communications systems are designed to routinely handle normal emergency situations. It is not feasible for them to also maintain resources which can meet the demands of all major disasters. In those instances, ARES communicators serve to supplement existing governmental and disaster communications resources.

This plan addresses emergency radio communications services intended to augment existing systems, substitute for damaged or inoperable systems, and establish communication links to otherwise inaccessible areas. The magnitude of a particular emergency situation will determine the degree to which emergency radio communications systems are utilized.

In Duval County, ARES has established a formal relationship with several served agencies. The details of each of our relationships and responsibilities to these agencies are outlined in written Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's), which will be found in Part Four of this document. As of this writing, our served agencies include:

• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
• Jacksonville Fire-Rescue
  (inclusive of the Emergency Preparedness Division, and the Duval County Emergency Operations Center)
• Northeast Florida Chapter, American Red Cross
• The National Weather Service District Office at JIA
• The Jacksonville Hospital Council

In addition to providing emergency communications, FCC regulations also permit amateur operators to provide communications services for the public welfare in non-emergency events, such as sporting events, parades, and outdoor celebrations. Since the communications requirements of such events closely resemble those of real emergencies, the Duval County ARES volunteers to assist with communications for these events in an effort to provide training for its operators, while providing additional public service.

The following are some of the events and activities Duval County ARES has assisted in the past:

• The Gate River Run
• The St. Johns River Cleanup

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Table of Contents

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Definitions

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PART 1: WHO WE ARE

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PART 2: WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO?

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PART 3: HOW DO WE DEVELOP OUR PLANS?