Wisconsin Wisconsin ARES/RACESARES/RACES

Communications Communications ResourcesResources

Skip Sharpe, W9RELWisconsin RACESChief Radio Officer

Amateur Radio Emergency Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)Service (ARES)

Two OrganizationsTwo OrganizationsOne PurposeOne PurposeOne GroupOne Group

One LeadershipOne Leadership

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)Service (RACES)

Amateur Radio Emergency Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)Service (ARES)

Sponsored by the American Sponsored by the American Radio Relay LeagueRadio Relay League

Private Non-Profit OrganizationPrivate Non-Profit Organization

Flexible & AdaptableFlexible & Adaptable

Sponsored by FEMASponsored by FEMA

Controlled by Wisconsin Controlled by Wisconsin Emergency ManagementEmergency Management

Enjoys certain advantages in Enjoys certain advantages in national emergenciesnational emergencies

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)Service (RACES)

Provide a source of reliable Provide a source of reliable backup communications:backup communications:

•Wisconsin Emergency Wisconsin Emergency ManagementManagement

•Local public safety agenciesLocal public safety agencies

•Private sector and VOAD partnersPrivate sector and VOAD partners

The Wisconsin ARES/RACES The Wisconsin ARES/RACES Mission:Mission:

•In the event of:In the event of:•Local, state or national emergencyLocal, state or national emergency•Planned eventsPlanned events

Wisconsin ARES/RACES)Wisconsin ARES/RACES)

Ham radio is the KISS Ham radio is the KISS principle in action!principle in action!

• SimpleSimple

• ReliableReliable

• RobustRobust

• DistributedDistributed

Wisconsin ARES/RACESWisconsin ARES/RACES

County level groups in 63 counties.County level groups in 63 counties.

All National Weather Service All National Weather Service Offices.Offices.

Many county EOCs have ham Many county EOCs have ham stations.stations.

Majority of Wisconsin hospitals Majority of Wisconsin hospitals equipped.equipped.

Wisconsin ARES/RACESWisconsin ARES/RACES

Over 1200 federally licensed Over 1200 federally licensed ham radio operators.ham radio operators.

Short and long haul Short and long haul communications capabilities.communications capabilities.

Voice and digital modes Voice and digital modes available.available.

Wisconsin ARES/RACESWisconsin ARES/RACES

NIMS compliant.NIMS compliant.

• Operates within the Operates within the Incident Command System.Incident Command System.

• Uses state & local Uses state & local ARES/RACES ARES/RACES communications plans.communications plans.

• Trained in accordance with Trained in accordance with NIMS.NIMS.

A Private, Non-Profit, 501(c3) CorporationA Private, Non-Profit, 501(c3) Corporation

•Supporting/facilitating emergency, disaster, Supporting/facilitating emergency, disaster, and public service communications.and public service communications.

•Construct and maintain a statewide voice and Construct and maintain a statewide voice and digital wireless two-way communications digital wireless two-way communications network.network.

Wisconsin ARES/RACESWisconsin ARES/RACES

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

• Contact your local ARES/RACES Contact your local ARES/RACES emergency coordinator.emergency coordinator.

• Include ARES/RACES in exercises.Include ARES/RACES in exercises.

• Consider ARES/RACES in emergency Consider ARES/RACES in emergency plansplans

Questions Answered Free !Questions Answered Free !

(Remember, You get what you pay for)(Remember, You get what you pay for)

Wisconsin ARES/RACESWisconsin ARES/RACES

Skip Sharpe, W9RELWisconsin RACES Chief Radio OfficerSkip-sharpe@wi.rr.comC:608.219.4012