Brunswick County ARES Organization
The DEC for Brunswick county and surrounding counties is Mike Costabile, WD4MGP. For the moment, Mike is also acting as the county EC. Tom Briggs, KT4THB, is working towards the certifications required to take over as county EC. The ARES group meets monthly at either the Senior Center in Shallotte, or the County Complex in Bolivia. A SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR WILL BE ADDED WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE Mike has requested all current ARES volunteers, and those who wish to join, to submit new applications, along with any NIMS certifications, and/or ARES emergency management courses that have been completed. Those interested in joining the ARES group should contact
ARES
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a volunteer organization that provides valuable service to county, state and federal agencies during times of emergencies. Although ARES is operated under the ARRL, you do not have to be a member of any organization, including the ARRL, to join ARES. However, there are certain requirements recently invoked by FEMA and Homeland Security that require some level of training and certification. Depending on the level you wish to participate at, the level of training will vary.
Important Training Information
Completion of certain FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses is now required by the Department of Homeland Security. All ARES volunteers must complete this training.
Those who did not complete training by the Oct 1st deadline should CONTINUE the courses and send copies of certificates of completion to the EC in your County just as soon as you have completed all four on-line courses. Until you do, you will not be able to work in the EOC or with any served agency.
Please continue to take and complete these classes. They are IMPORTANT.
Minimum Requirements
Radio Amateurs operating under ARES/RACES in the North Carolina Section are required to complete three National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses. These courses can be taken online. Once completed, you will receive certification, a copy of which you will give to the county Emergency Coordinator (EC). The three basic courses required are:
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Requirements
In addition to the three basic NIMS courses, those amateur operators that may be deployed to EOC's, command posts, or other points where interface with emergency management or government officials officials at any level is expected, are also required to complete IS 800
Note that this is not a subject for negotiation, consideration or commentary.
This training is mandatory for all ARES volunteers.
Now the good news. These courses are not difficult and can be taken ON-LINE. The Links to the web sites are provided below.
This page last revised:
7/29/2007