Mark Newby, KX4LEO, Emergency Coordinator
BE A PART OF OUR TEAM
Do you want to be a part of a dedicated team of licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer their time to serve their communities in Sumter County? Call or email us today to learn how you can be a part of our critically important team. Click here to learn how you can be a member of our team.
JOIN SUMTER COUNTY ARES
Do you want to be a part of a dedicated team of licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer their time to serve their communities in Sumter County? Below is information on becoming a member of Sumter County ARES.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements for membership into Sumter County ARES are to:
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Hold a Technician or higher amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communication Commission.
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Have an operable amateur radio station, (Hand-Held, Mobile, or Base Transceiver)
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Be a full-time or part-time resident of Sumter County or adjacent County.
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Have a sincere desire to provide a volunteer public service to the communities in Sumter County. Depending on your own physical abilities, you may volunteer from your home, office or in a field assignment.
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Have the physical ability to effectively communicate by voice over a 2-way radio. For those with hearing or speech limitations, the ability to communicate by alternative methods, i.e. CW, Packet, Digital, WinLink, PSK31, etc.
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Check into at least one (1) monthly Sumter County ARES VHF Net or attend at least one (1) monthly organization meeting each quarter.
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Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, have the ability to work well with others, and to receive and effectively carry out instructions.
Application Process
If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply to become a Sumter County ARES member. The process is simple:
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Step 1: Download all of the following documents:
Letter from the Emergency Coordinator
ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book: (Fillable PDF) or (Word Document)
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Step 2: Read the ARES Manual
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Step 3: Complete as much of the Standardized Training Plan Task Book as you can. Only those items listed as Required in the Level 1 section are needed at this time.
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Step 4: Complete the ARES Registration Form.
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Step 5: Return your completed Registration Form AND Task Book to the Emergency Coordinator by email, FAX or U.S.Mail. Returning both together will expedite the processing.
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Step 6: Once the Emergency Coordinator (EC) receives your completed Registration Form and Task Book, the EC will arrange a phone call or ZOOM meeting with you This is an opportunity for both the prospective member and the EC to introduce themselves to each other, and to answer any questions.
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Step 7: As the final step, the EC will send an acceptance letter to the new member, along with Sumter County ARES membership credentials.