[InHam] INARRL BULLETIN 040-2003

[Brian Murrey]

INARRL BULLETIN 040-2003
13:24:00 EST 09/12/2003 de KB9BVN

For More Information:
Jennifer Hagy
American Radio Relay League
860-594-0328
jhagy@arrl.org

A SECOND YEAR OF FEDERAL FUNDING BOLSTERS RADIO AMATEURS' ROLE IN
HOMELAND SECURITY

Newington, Conn., September 12, 2003 - ARRL-the national association for
Amateur Radio-has been awarded another year of funding from the
Corporation for National and Community Service to train more Amateur
Radio operators in emergency communication measures.

The year-two grant of nearly $180,000 will provide free training for
about 1,700 more Amateur Radio emergency communicators who register for
ARRL's online Emergency Communications Level I Course.

Last year, ARRL was among several dozen nonprofit organizations sharing
some $10.3 million in federal money to boost homeland defense volunteer
programs. In 2002, ARRL was able to provide emergency communications
training to 1,699 volunteers, exceeding the estimated program
projections under the CNCS grant.

"The outstanding success we've had with this program is one of the major
reasons that ARRL was selected to receive additional funding this year,"
says ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart. "The volunteers are
enthusiastic and extremely dedicated to public service, and to helping
their country in a crisis."

ARRL President Jim Haynie says, Amateur Radio operators have proven that
they are a vital resource during natural and man-made disasters. "They
were there two years ago on September 11, they were there during the
recent Northeast blackout and they've lent their communications
expertise during dozens of emergencies in between," he says.

In the event of an emergency, certified volunteers will work with
community organizations to relay vital information in a structured and
accurate manner. The federally funded training will enhance radio
operators' skills at composing and relaying messages by voice and
through computer based Amateur Radio communications modes. Trained
volunteers will join local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) teams
and support emergency activities ranging from equipment logistics,
victim location and identification, emergency shelter, food and water
information, medical equipment and materiel distribution, and,
sometimes, life-and-death communication.

Today there are approximately 682,000 Amateur Radio operators in the
United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. Learn more about
Amateur Radio on the ARRL site, www.arrl.org, or by calling the League's
toll-free number 1-800-32-NEW HAM.

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Brian Murrey - KB9BVN
KB9BVN@arrl.net
Indiana Section Bulletin Manager
(317)535-9887
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