General Information About Adams-Arapahoe County ARES
Amateur Radio has always had a responsibility to perform communications in the public service. In fact, it’s one of the basic purposes of the Amateur Radio Service defined by the FCC. You’ll find a lot of hams enjoy using their skills and equipment to help their communities. You, too, can be part of this rewarding experience when you participate as a radio operator in public service events like parades and bike rides and/or in emergency service activities such as searches and disaster relief.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is part of the Amateur Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) extensive volunteer field organization dedicated to public service. ARES is comprised of amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide a resource of trained operators for reliable primary or secondary communications links for governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in the ARRL or any other organization, is eligible for membership in ARES.
Members of the Adams-Arapahoe County Amateur Radio Emergency Service have a long history of emergency service communications. In 1938, local hams proved radio contact could be established between city fire stations. After the war, a formal Amateur Radio Emergency Corps group was formed. It continues today as the ARES.
In Adams and Arapahoe counties, there are several ways you can assist your community. Public service (or event) communications is provided by members of Adams-Arapahoe County ARES. Emergency service communications is provided by members of the ARES.
How is Adams-Arapahoe County ARES organized?
There are four levels of ARES organization: national, section, district/region, and local. We are in the Eastern Region of Colorado, which contains three ARES Districts: Adams-Arapahe County (R10 D1), Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Lincoln Counties (R10 D3) and Denver County (R10 D4) . Each is headed by an Emergency Coordinator.
What are the requirements for membership?
We want members to be active contributing members. As such, these requirements have been developed:
ACTIVE:
A. Minimum attendance at meetings: 1 per quarter.
B. Must act as net control/backup or scribe at any Adams-Arapahoe County ARES event or net once per year.
C. Must support Arapahoe County Fair in some form:
a. During the fair, must participate in one of the following, walking, bicycle team, Net Control/ Fair Dispatcher/Scribe, outreach booth/table,
b. Or manage Resource net (log people's call sign and mileage while enroute to and from the Fair),
c. Or assist in Fair planning and/or Fair logistics
D. Must support a minimum of four (4) Adams-Arapahoe County ARES events/trainings/exercises per year (one per quarter)
E. Must have completed ICS-100.c, ICS-200.c, IS-700.b & IS-800.c or IS-800.d within 60 days of becoming a member. These current course numbers should be good until January 1, 2024, unless a major change occurs as determined by leadership.
F. Serving in an Adams-Arapahoe County ARES sponsored community service role (such as participating at display promoting Adams-Arapahoe County ARES at a swap fest or city/county event) will count toward participation.
RESERVE:
A. Must participate in two (2) events/trainings/exercises per year.
a. Serving in an Adams-Arapahoe County ARES sponsored community service role (such as participating at display promoting Arapahoe County ARES at a swap fest or city/county event) will count toward participation.
B. Must participate in two (2) meetings per year.
EMERITUS:
A. Reserved for those having long term membership with Adams-Arapahoe County ARES but can no longer participate as determined by the Emergency Coordinator (e.g., physically unable to participate in Adams-Arapahoe County ARES activities but has many years of service).
YOUTH:
A. Anyone under 18 years old is encouraged to join but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for any Adams-Arapahoe County ARES events, trainings, or meetings.
Who does Adams-Arapahoe County ARES assist?
ARES members assist the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, Adams County Sheriff, City of Aurora, American Red Cross, local government agencies, and non-profit humanitarian organizations such as the Salvation Army. We also assist the US Forest Service, the National Weather Service.
What kind of communications assistance does Adams-Arapahoe County ARES provide?
Most of the activities are on VHF or UHF voice. However, all authorized amateur frequencies and modes, HF, packet, slowscan TV and others can be used. ARES has permanent stations at city and county EOCs and at the public health headquarters. ARES also utilizes Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and Winlink.
What do Adams-Arapahoe County ARES members do?
As the names suggest, ARES provides a single “service” – communications. Therefore, the members are trained to be skilled emergency communicators. However, this does not necessarily mean you have to go into the field. There are jobs you can do from your home or office, like being the net control or helping make telephone calls.
What equipment do I need?
A dual band hand-held transceiver is a good start. However, if you don’t yet have a radio, you can get started on your training and participate in some activities without one.
What about uniforms?
There is a blue ARES uniform shirt that has been adopted by Adams-Arapahoe County ARES as recommended by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management. However, you are not required to purchase one before you can start training and participate. The uniform is very helpful when members are working in the field with other agencies so they can be easily recognized as ARES radio operators.
What training am I given?
The training given to ARES members is centered on the knowledge and skills needed to be a good emergency communicator. The training is combination of classroom, on-the-air, and hands-on experiences. Once you feel comfortable in the role of communicator, you can maintain that level or move on to more specialized training. Some of this training is done at regular ARES meetings and some is set up for different times. ARES members are encouraged to participate in event communications to practice their skills.
I’m interested! How do I sign up?
Contact the emergency coordinator at EC at Arapahoe County ARES.