About Ocean County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (Mission Statement, Objectives)

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service was formed to provide an alternate means of communications during times of emergency or disaster. This service is one of the primary reasons for the licensing of radio operators in the Amateur Radio Service, as provided under Part 97 of the FCC rules and regulations.

The ARRL has established the ARES as a means of providing this service on a level which supports local, county, and statewide organizations. National and international levels of cooperation are supported and coordinated through the ARRL.

The Ocean County ARES is comprised of licensed operators concerned with providing emergency communications when needed. An operator does not have to be a member of the ARRL to join ARES. In addition, membership in ARES does not require that the operator become a member of any other organization. Members are, however, encouraged to join local clubs and the RACES organization.
On February 14, 2003, under the Incorporation laws of New Jersey, the organization has become Ocean County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Inc and applied for tax exemption as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. The Non-Profit exemption was granted by the IRS on April 28, 2004.
On August 15, 2003, Ocean County Amateur Radio Emergency Service became an ARRL affiliated club and was issued a Charter of Affiliation.
The club callsign is WA2RES, "WHISKEY ALPHA TWO ROMEO ECHO SIERRA"

ARES and Amateur Radio Emergency Service are registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and permission has been granted for the use of these symbols by our organization. We are a field service of the ARRL and operate and abide by League rules and regulations.

Objectives

1.    To provide emergency communications for the thirty three (33) municipalities of Ocean County, New Jersey when called     upon during emergencies or disasters. This reduces the burden of the emergency to local government.
2.    Assist the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management by providing radio operators during an activation of Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES).
3.    Provide emergency communications to public service served agencies, such as the National Weather Service Skywarn Program and the Red Cross in time of disaster.
4.    Provide communications services to communities served for special events such as parades, foot or bicycle tours, etc., whenever appropriate for the purpose of training and enhancement of communications skills of its operators.
5.    Help establish a self-contained network of amateur radio stations or other necessary equipment in locations deemed appropriate for provision of critical information flow in an emergency situation.
6.    Establish and constantly improve efficient procedures and methods for contacting operators under emergency conditions and for assigning them to critical locations.
7.    Establish minimum levels of portable kit equipment requirements and maintain an up to date list of all operator capabilities and availability to ensure that emergency communications preparedness is known and available at all times.
8.    Establish formal training programs for all operators in order to ensure that expectations of operators are clearly understood and that basic levels of skills and performance required in emergency conditions of different types will be available.
9.    Provide publicity of activities in order to obtain public and government awareness of and support for the organization and it’s capabilities.
10.    Provide adequate training toward licensing of interested individuals for qualification as amateur radio station operators at critical locations such as schools, hospitals, government agencies, etc.
11.    New operators will be sought by the organization in order to maintain and expand the necessary capabilities for it.
12.    Establish fund raising activities so that sufficient finances become available for the provisioning of equipment and training materials in furthering the mission of the organization.