[ARRL-OK] Did you know?

[Mark Conklin]

ARRL - the National Association for Amateur Radio
ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Service®
 
ARRL - the National Association for Amateur Radio, is a non-commercial association
of radio amateurs bonded together for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio
communication and experimentation, for the relaying of messages by radio, for the
advancement of the radio art and of the public welfare, for the representation of the radio
amateur in legislative matters and for the maintenance of fraternalism and a high standard
of conduct.
 
ARRL has been serving the general public directly and government and relief agencies
for more than 75 years. To that end, in 1935 the league organized the Amateur Radio
Emergency Corps (now called the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES).
Together, ARES is part of the League's public service Field Organization of volunteer
radio amateurs. As leaders and representatives of radio amateurs, the ARRL has
responsibilities in motivation, education, policy and leadership in promoting Amateur
Radio functions in the public service, especially in times of emergency when the
resources of radio amateurs may be most survivable communications available.
The ARES Oklahoma (ARES-OK) organization 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 or other
communication emergencies occur.
 
As a way of keeping our emergency communications skills sharp; in addition to
participating with many exercises and drills with our government partners ARES
volunteers also provide communications for many non-profit groups’ events during
community events - such as “Fun Runs”, Bike Rides, Walk-a-thons, and the like.
 
www.ARESOK.org  You may “contact us” via the ARES-OK website.
 
( more )
 
Memoranda of Understandings
One of the principal justifications for continued access to the Amateur Radio spectrum is
public service. A major part of Amateur Radio's public service and emergency
communications activities are conducted within the context of the ARRL's formal
agreements with the emergency management, government organizations, NGOs, nonprofits
and public service agencies.
 
The ARRL (ARES) has long standing MOUs in place with the following:
National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
American Red Cross
Salvation Army & SATERN
SKYWARN (National Weather Service)
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCOInternational)
Citizen Corps (Department of Homeland Security)
And many other government and non-government organizations
 
www.ARESOK.org You may “contact us” via the ARES-OK website.
 
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