Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Emergency Plan for Lowndes County

1. INTRODUCTION

1. The Lowndes Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is composed of FCC-licensed operators who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service communications duty.
2. Under Federal regulations, Amateur Radio public service communications are furnished without compensation of any kind.
3. The Lowndes ARES functions under this Emergency Plan under the direction of the Lowndes Emergency Coordinator (EC) who is appointed by the ARRL Mississippi Section Emergency Coordinator in consultation with the District Emergency Coordinator.
4. The EC may appoint assistant ECs as needed for the ARES to function efficiently.

2. PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing the minimum information that would be needed in an emergency. Each emergency is different and flexibility to provide an adequate response to each is a necessity.
2. The primary responsibility of the Lowndes ARES is to furnish communications in the event of a natural disaster, when regular communications fail or are inadequate.
3. All drills, training and instruction shall be carried out to ensure readiness to respond quickly in providing effective amateur emergency communications whenever an occasion may arise.
4. The following agencies could be served during a communications emergency: Lowndes Chapter American Red Cross; Baptist Hospital-Golden Triangle; E-911; Fire Departments; Police Department; Sheriff's Departments; Salvation Army; and any other agencies requesting assistance from the ARES.

3.ACTIVATING THE PLAN

1. Any member of the Lowndes ARES who for any reason suspects a communications emergency exists should monitor the assigned net for activity.
2. If local telephone service is available, the EC and/or assistant ECs should be notified by telephone.
3. In an emergency in which Amateur Radio might serve the community, ECs and AECs may be alerted by any city, Red Cross, E-911, or similar official notifying the Emergency Coordinator.

4.ARES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE

1. Local broadcast station WCBI and Cable One will be contacted by the EC or his representative, as possible, for spot announcements alerting ARES members.
2. If telephone service is available, the telephone tree is activated.
3. Upon the awareness or notification that a communications emergency exists, members of the Lowndes ARES will call into the Lowndes Emergency Net on the 146.625/146.025 FM repeater with 146.52 FM simplex as an alternate frequency.
4. Mobile units are activated and dispatched.
5. The EC/AEC will assume net control or delegate another station as net control station (NCS). Control will be from Lowndes Emergency Operating Center (E-911). This station is designated as a "Key Station" and will be extensively utilized during a communication emergency. Key stations have full emergency power capability with relief operators assigned to ensure continuous operation.

5.DUTIES OF NCS

1. The Lowndes Emergency Net will be called to order by the NCS.
2. Members the Lowndes ARES are checked into the net from their mobiles and home stations to await for further instructions.
3. Liaison stations to the following National Traffic System nets will be assigned:  Mississippi Phone Net, 3.862 MHz,
4. Mobiles are dispatched as needed to the Lowndes Chapter, American Red Cross Headquarters and the Baptist Memorial Hospital and other agencies as required.
5. Operators of home stations not on emergency power are coordinated to effectively operate the "Key Stations" as required.

6. OPERATIONS

7. DRILLS, TESTS AND ALERTS

1. An annual test will be conducted in conjunction with the nationwide ARRL Simulated Emergency Test.
2. The Lowndes ARES will regularly supply public safety communications in conjunction with local events, totes the effectiveness of the operation.
3. The Lowndes Emergency Net meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 P.M.
4. At the discretion of the EC, the ARES will be activated unannounced via the telephone tree at least once per year.