Emergency Reference Information for Amateur Radio Station ________________________________

Telephone Numbers                                                                                                                What to report:

(List name and number as applicable)                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                        Caller’s name   

State/Province Police ____________________________________                         Location

                                                                                                                        Situation

Local Police ___________________________________________                          Injuries: number, extent

                                                                                                                        Fire?

Sheriff _______________________________________________                            Traffic blocked?

                                                                                                                        Need assistance?

Fire Department _______________________________________                            Weather conditions

Ambulance ___________________________________________

CD __________________________________________________

SM __________________________________________________

SEC _________________________________________________

National Weather Service _______________________________

Red Cross ____________________________________________

Salvation Army _______________________________________

Net Manager _________________________________________

DEC ________________________________________________

EC __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

THE AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE

                The radio amateur best justifies his existence by the service rendered to the community in times of disaster and distress when normal communications media are not available, have failed or are badly overburdened.

                In the event of a communications emergency all amateurs are dedicated to serve in the public interest, within their ability, to provide temporary communications for a stricken area until normal facilities are restored.

                The RAC Amateur Radio Emergency Service is composed of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes.

                Every licensed amateur, whether or not a member of the RAC, is eligible for membership in the Emergency Service. The only other qualification is a sincere desire to serve. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable but is not a requirement.

                Further information on the Service may be obtained from your Section Manager or RAC HQ.

BEFORE EMERGENCY

Prepare yourself by providing a transmitter-receiver setup together with an emergency power source upon which you can depend.

Test both the dependability of your emergency equipment and your own operating ability in the annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and the several annual on-the-air contests, especially Field Day.

Register your facilities and your availability with your local RAC Emergency Coordinator. If your community has no EC, contact your local civic and relief agencies and explain to them what the Amateur Service offers the community in time of disaster.

IN EMERGENCY

Listen before you transmit. Never violate this principle.

Report at once to your Emergency Coordinator so that the EC will have up-to-minute data on the facilities available. Work with the local civic and relief agencies as the EC suggests. Offer these agencies your services directly in the absence of an EC.

Restrict all on-the-air work in accordance with RIC 2 and RIC 3 rules and regulations whenever a state of communications emergency is declared.

SOS and “Mayday” are the International distress calls for emergency only. They are for use only by stations seeking emergency assistance.

Respect the fact that the success of the amateur effort in emergency depends largely on circuit discipline. The established Net Control Station should be the supreme authority for traffic routing.

Cooperate with those we serve. Be ready to help but stay off the air unless there is a specific job to be done, one that you can handle more efficiently than any other station.

Copy all bulletins. During time of emergency, bulletins will keep you posted on the latest developments.

AFTER EMERGENCY

Submit a Report to RAC Headquarters as soon as possible and as fully as possible so that the Amateur Radio Service can receive full credit.  Amateur Radio has won glowing public tribute in emergencies for over more than sixty years and continues to be regarded as a vital community resource. Please do your part to help maintain this record by reporting your activities.

FSD-255-R (10/06)