Anchorage ARES

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.

ARES is organized by the ARRL’s Field Organization structure and is overseen by a District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) in Anchorage.  The DEC reports to the Alaska Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC), who in turn reports to the Alaska Section Manager (SM).

The Anchorage DEC coordinates appointments of key managers, or Emergency Coordinators (ECs) with the SM and SEC.  EC appointments are made for management of critical communications infrastructure such as the AARC RSOC and the EARS Club Station, and for major served agencies such as Emergency Operations Centers, Hospitals, etc.  Most ECs need identified team members to assist with their resource or served agency. 

You need not be assigned to a specific “team” or management role to be a member of ARES, nor is there any requirement for you to be a member of the ARRL (although we certainly recommend it!) to be a basic member of ARES.  Simply fill out an ARES Registration form online by clicking here to register.  If you want more info on the local ARES effort, send an email to info@kl7aa.net.

While training and being equipped with sustaining skills are important aspects of being an ARES volunteer, you need to be prepared to focus on issues at and close to home following a major disaster event.  You’ll need to care for your family, your neighbors, etc. before you jump in the car and head to your “assigned” resource or do anything else ARES related.  Because you’ll be dealing with home issues first, be familiar with important infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of your home.  You could be of vital importance in the very early stages of damage assessment around the town by being able to report that a small bridge close to your home is out, or an electrical tower is down, or there is a rupture in a water main, etc. 

A couple important links:

                Register for ARES in Anchorage

                ARES Manual (PDF)

                ARES Field Resources Manual (PDF)

The following table indicates current appointments and vacancies (vacancies are indicated by “TBD”).  Please let us know if you are able to step up to assist with a specific served agency or resource.  Click here to volunteer for a team: