The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur radio service, only amateur radio operators are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership. Although this is the serious side of the hobby, our members enjoy the work we do for our served agencies.

The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) group of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Operators that is administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government. As a part of the Amateur Radio Service, it provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only, during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. These emergencies are not limited to war-related activities, but can include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, power outages, floods, victim searches, air crashes, and many others.

Although RACES and ARES are separate entities, the ARRL advocates dual membership and cooperative efforts between both groups whenever possible for an ARES group whose members are all enrolled in and certified by RACES to operate in an emergency.

Membership in ARES/RACES is open to any licensed amateur radio operator. If you'd like to become a member, download and fill out the membership application. Mailing instructions are at the bottom of the form.

Download application

For more information contact:

Allen Beadel KB5AB, Emergency Coordinator
Al Warren WR5AW, Assistant Emergency Coordinator