Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
ARES is a nationwide organization of licensed radio amateurs who have volunteered their expertise and equipment to provide emergency communications whenever disaster strikes. We’re always looking for new members. If you would like to offer your time and expertise for a worthwhile and necessary public service, we invite you to apply for membership. The only qualifications are a ham radio license and a desire to serve. Feel free to “drop in” to any of our districts’ weekly nets.
How to Join
It couldn’t be simpler. Just click on the New Member Register link in the yellow box to the left. Fill out the registration form and submit it. You will receive an immediate e-mail confirmation of your application, and a day or two later, an official welcome stating your membership has been activated.
Meetings
ARES LAX usually meets on the last Saturday of the month at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., unless circumstances require a change in schedule or location. We meet in the large auditorium of the Health and Education Building. Attendees are encouraged to bring their handheld transceivers. Following meetings at the hospital, ARES LAX hosts licensing exams for those seeking their Technician, General or Extra license.
For more information, see the ARES LAX section on Groups.io.
LA EMCOMM
ARESLAX also supports the Los Angeles EMCOMM (Emergency Communications) Group. LA EMCOMM is dedicated to coordinating communication across many essential emergency organizations. It supports the City of Los Angeles and other cities and agencies within Los Angeles County and surrounding counties, with emergency communications during disasters. It also provides a convenient portal to find information on how you can join, volunteer, contribute, and donate to any of the vital organizations it supports.
Los Angeles City Fire Department – Auxiliary Communications Service
The Emergency Management Department of the City of Los Angeles has designated the Los Angeles Fire Department to manage its amateur radio program under the Auxiliary Communications Service agreement with the State Office of Emergency Services. Because Auxiliary Communications Service Members are authorized by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service, ACS Members are sworn Disaster Service Workers. The LAFD Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is the Official Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (RACES) Group for the City of Los Angeles and is the RACES organization for the City of Los Angeles. ACS members are subject to a background check and must meet the qualifications as a Los Angeles City Volunteer under the Mayor’s Office Volunteer Bureau’s requirements. They also must meet the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) Disaster Service Worker requirements.
Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service
The Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service has provided public service during emergency situations since 1951, evolving with changes in amateur radio; technology; and needs of Los Angeles County’s governmental units, continuing a tradition that goes back more than 100 years.
Nearly two dozen Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Stations and other LASD sites have complete amateur radio rooms with modern multi-band equipment. If other modes fail, DCS operators at Sheriff’s Stations can relay emergency communications services for local cities or agencies, the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center, or other Sheriff’s Stations.
Infragard
ARES members are invited to join InfraGard, a public-private partnership managed by the FBI with the purpose of sharing information concerning protection of our nation’s critical infrastructure. Communications is one of those critical elements, and ARES is recognized as playing an important role.
Applicants for InfraGard membership will undergo an FBI background investigation and, once cleared, will receive a membership document, regular e-mailed security briefings, access to the secure InfraGard Internet site and invitations to a variety of training sessions. The passing of the background check may prove useful in a variety of served-agency engagements where absence of a background check might otherwise delay or preclude our involvement.
InfraGard membership is not mandatory, but ARES leadership encourages all members to consider submitting applications.
Applications are accepted online only