July 2013
Peoria County A.R.E.S. ®
Emergency Notification Plan
1. Introduction
1. The Peoria County Amateur Radio Emergency Service is a field organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It is composed of FCC licensed amateur radio operators who are trained emergency communicators, volunteering their personal time, skill and equipment, to serve in the public interest. ThePeoriaCounty ARES group is focused on providing communications service toPeoriaCountyand at certain times, the surrounding area. All Amateur Radio operators are eligible for participation in Peoria County ARES.
2. Under Federal regulations, Amateur Radio public service communications are furnished without reimbursement of any kind.
3. ThePeoriaCounty ARES functions under the direction of the Peoria County ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) who is appointed by the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator in consultation with the District Emergency Coordinator.
2. Purpose of the Plan
1. The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing the minimum information needed to activate Peoria County ARES.
3. Activating the Plan
1. Upon notification from a served agency or group of a communication need, the PCEC will initiate a text message to those members that have indicated they can be contacted by this method. All other members will be contacted by phone. Upon notification members of the Peoria County ARES will listen on the 147.075 repeater (156.7 tone, + offset) for the Net Control Station (NCS) to provide further instructions. FM simplex 146.535 will be an alternate frequency.
5. Duties of the NCS
1. The EC will function as net control or delegate another station as the net control station (NCS). Control will be from thePeoriaRedCrossBuildingor other location as designated by the EC. NCS must have emergency power capability to ensure continuous operation. The NCS will provide direction on deployment activities and other logistical information.
2. Members of the Peoria County ARES team who are checked into the net from their mobiles and/or home stations will receive additional details of the emergency needs and the agency requesting such service.
3. A designated ARES member with HF privileges will liaison with the DEC on 3.905 MHz or other frequencies as necessary.
6. Drills, Tests and Alerts
1. An annual test will be conducted in conjunction with the nationwide ARRL Simulated Emergency Test.
2. At the discretion of the EC, ARES an additional test will be activated unannounced via electronic notification at least once per year.
Local Repeaters are listed on the PC ARES website at www.peoriacountyares.org
(c) Peoria County ARES 2011