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Macomb County ARPSC is a group of amateur radio operators, trained thru the auspices of FEMA, interested in public service. We participate in the ARRL backed ARES program, The NWS Skywarn program, and the FEMA backed RACES program.
Michigan is unique in that it was one of the first if not the first state in the United States to recognize the need for Amateur Radio Operators to be cross-trained in both ARES and RACES protocols. (The differences will be addressed in the next paragraphs) This aids the process of assistance we provide in the sense that cross-trained individuals who start out as an ARES Operator can just change hats and continue the operations wearing the RACES hat.
ARES
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 ARES has a long history of public service going back to its formal inception in 1935. Since that time the ARES has responded countless times to communications emergencies. Experience has proven that radio amateurs respond more capably in time of emergency when practice has been conducted in an organized group. There is no substitute for experience gained before the need arises.
The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
There are four levels of ARES organization--national, section, district and local. National emergency coordination at American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Headquarters is under the supervision of the ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager, who is responsible for advising all ARES officials regarding their problems, maintaining contact with federal government and other national officials concerned with amateur emergency communications potential, and in general with carrying out the League's policies regarding emergency communications.
The ARES in each locality operates under the direction of the Emergency Coordinator (EC), whose function is to direct the activities of the ARES to maintain a state of readiness.
ARES Events can be any event where a Communications need exists of a non-commercial nature (FCC Part 97 Rules). ARES is administered by the ARRL - American Radio Relay League.
Many national organizations have formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other Amateur Radio groups including:
Department of Homeland Security -- Citizen Corps
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Communications System
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
National Weather Service
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
Examples of ARES uses:
- Safety and security at a parade or car cruise
- Health and welfare at a walk-a-thon or marathon
- Scoring and personnel need requests for a baseball or soccer tournament
- Mobile patrols during trick-or-treat or other events
RACES
Founded in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although the exact nature of activation will be different, the common thread is communications.
RACES groups across the country prepare themselves for the inevitable day when they will be called upon. When a local, county, or state government agency activates its RACES unit, that unit will use its communications resources to meet whatever need that agency has.
Traditional RACES operations involve emergency message handling on Amateur Radio Service frequencies. These operations typically involve messages between critical locations such as hospitals, emergency services, emergency shelters, and any other locations where communication is needed. These communications are handled in any mode available, with 2 meters FM being the most prevalent.
During time of war, when the President exercises his War Emergency Powers, RACES might become the only communications allowed via amateur radio, using specific amateur frequencies set aside for wartime RACES use.
RACES operators are capable of implementing ad-hoc stations and communication channels. Field stations can be deployed at disaster scenes and acute care centers (ACCs) or wherever the incident dictates. Direct or indirect links can be established with other counties, the state EOC, and amateur radio stations supporting members of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), such as stations in the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN). Aside from the EOC radio systems and personal radio systems maintained by individual operators, no additional communications infrastructure is required.
The major differences between ARES and RACES are the level of training and the requirement of a locally preformed LEIN background check. In Macomb County the Office of Emergency Management / Homeland Security performs this check. Also RACES operations are protected under Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 Part 97 as follows
“In the event of an emergency which necessitates the invoking of the President's War Emergency Powers under the provisions of Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 606.”
See the training requirements section for further information on our training requirements and protocols
SKYWARN
SKYWARN is a program of the National Weather Service (NWS). Its mission is to collect reports of localized severe weather. These reports are used to aid forecasters in issuing and verifying severe weather watches and warnings and to improve the forecasting and warning processes and the tools used to collect meteorological data. It consists of a network of severe weather spotters that observe weather conditions and make reports of severe weather to their local NWS offices. These spotters are trained by personnel from the local NWS offices each spring in advance of the coming severe weather season.
SKYWARN has long been associated with amateur radio. Many NWS offices maintain a radio station that is manned by amateur radio operators during times of severe weather to allow other amateur radio equipped spotters a reliable means by which to transmit their severe weather reports to their local office and receive up-to-date severe weather updates. It is important to note that participation in SKYWARN does not require an amateur radio license; more than half of all SKYWARN spotters are not licensed for amateur radio and instead make their reports via telephone or the Internet.
In Macomb County, we maintain a link with the NWS via MICON. MICON is the acronym for the Michigan Inter-County Organizational Network. DTX is the designator for the Detroit/Pontiac Weather Service office located in White Lake MI. The Amateur Radio Callsign K8DTX is the official NWS MICON Callsign from the White Lake Weather Service Office in Southeastern Michigan.
There are three other MICON regional networks set up to serve the State of Michigan. They include MICON-GRR, MICON-APX, and MICON-MQT. These networks are setup to provide communications between the NWS offices in Michigan and the counties under their warning responsibility
Mission Statement
The mission of the Macomb County ARPSC organization is to serve the public in time of need by providing non-tactical communications during natural and man-made disasters. Provide alternate communications for local primary agencies as directed by the Emergency Management Coordinator. In addition, provide SKYWARN Spotter support for the National Weather Service during weather watches and warnings. Licensed amateur radio operators volunteer their time, equipment, and knowledge for the betterment of public safety and other activities related to public service and community activities.
The public service events we assist with include, The Memorial Day Parade in St. Clair Shores, numerous bike rides throughout Macomb County. We are also available to assist in other events.
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