Background Checks
With the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the ARRL and American Red Cross, Duval County ARES is encouraging its members to submit to a criminal background check. This is a voluntary act but you are highly encouraged to do so. The Red Cross is our primary served agency and they require this check prior to your involvement with any ARC activity. This includes but is not limited to shelter operations and disaster recovery operations.
With hurricane season upon as and the predictions of a potentially busy season this year it is crucial that we have as many verified radio operators available as possible. During Tropical Storm Fay in 2007 10-12 shelters were open at any given time. Please help us ensure that we can adequately support these shelters should the need arise.
The pertinent portion of the MoU is provided below. If you wish to read the entire contents you may download it from the Documents section of our website.
The Red Cross requires the completion of a criminal background check to participate in Red Cross activities. A criminal background check may be performed through the Red Cross process at no cost to the volunteer, or by State or local law enforcement agency at the volunteer’s own initiative and expense. The Red Cross is only responsible for the costs of background checks conducted through their processes.
The ARRL accepts the requirement of a criminal background check for volunteers but prefers that such checks be performed by law-enforcement entities. The Red Cross agrees that ARRL volunteers shall not be asked or required to consent to credit checks, mode of living investigations, or investigative consumer reports in order to provide a communications function.
Duval County ARES is providing background checks at no cost to you through our partner agency the
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Background Check Form
If you choose to complete the background check through the ARC you must provide Duval County ARES with a copy of your successful check for our records.
