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 Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book: (Fillable PDF) or (Word Document)
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Step 2: Read the ARES Manual
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Step 3: Downlaod the ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book. You will see items listed as “R” (Required). You will have six months from the date you are accepted to complete the few required items. Here are the links to complete the required IS-100, IS-700 and Basic EmComm Course on-line, which are quite simple. If you do not have a computer available, you can manually fill in the blanks by printing legibly. You can also find them at www.sumterares.org/training.
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Step 4: Complete the ARES Registration Form.
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Step 5: Return your completed Registration Form to the Emergency Coordinator by email, FAX or U.S. Postal Service.
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Step 6: Once the Emergency Coordinator (EC) receives your completed Registration Form, he or she will arrange a phone call or ZOOM meeting with you. This is an opportunity for both you 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.