[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever

[don.ki4d at gmail.com]

It is notable that Alexandria Radio Club Life Member, former FEMA
Administrator and ARRL member Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, led FEMA when the
previous MOA with ARRL was signed in 2014.
Fugate said the agreement underscores the importance of ham radio.

73
Don, KI4D
-----Original Message-----
From: ARRL Web site <memberlist at arrl.org> 
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2023 8:35 PM
Subject: ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as
Ever

SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX003
ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever

ZCZC AX03
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 3  ARLX003
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  May 26, 2023
To all radio amateurs 

SB SPCL ARL ARLX003
ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever

The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators
in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency
communications space.

ARES (see the ARES fact sheet at, www.arrl.org/ares) is a network of trained
Amateur Radio Service licensees organized across the country to provide
communications and other support to served agencies, such as local
governments, hospitals, and disaster response charities.
More than 20,000 ARES volunteers actively participate in the ARRL program.
In 2022, they provided more than 420,000 labor hours of service saving local
officials $13.4 million in personnel costs.

Each member of ARES has specialized training in emergency communications.
Many have also completed training in the National Incident Management System
(NIMS) in order to integrate with local officials during an emergency
response.

In March 2023, FEMA released the final version of the NIMS Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) Functional Guidance, which includes radio
amateurs in the response ecosystem and national emergency preparedness.

"The agreement is representative of the continued commitment and cooperation
between FEMA and ARRL," said ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh
Johnston, KE5MHV. "Serving our country during emergencies is an important
service provided by ARES volunteers and a principal purpose of our Amateur
Radio Service. Our well-equipped volunteers bring their training, use of
innovative technologies, and community partnerships together to serve before
and during disasters."

FEMA announced the new agreement on Twitter stating, "We recently signed a
new MOA with ARRL -- establishing our partnership with licensed, voluntary
amateur radio operators to support response
(and) recovery efforts. We're honored to work side-by-side to meet the needs
of millions in the wake of disasters."

Former FEMA Administrator and ARRL member Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, led the
agency when the previous MOA with ARRL was signed in 2014.
Fugate said the agreement underscores the importance of ham radio.
"By incorporating amateur radio into their emergency plans, FEMA ensures
that they have access to a network of trained operators who can establish
and maintain communication links when traditional infrastructure fails. This
collaboration between FEMA and Amateur Radio Operators allows for more
robust and resilient emergency communication capabilities, ultimately
contributing to effective disaster response and recovery," said Fugate.

"The ARRL Board and the Emergency Communications and Field Services
Committee are committed to strengthening our resourcefulness to the EmComm
(emergency communications) community," said ARRL President Rick Roderick,
K5UR. "Our partnership with FEMA helps further ARRL's work to better serve
our volunteers, partner agencies, and the country." 
NNNN
/EX