Why Amateur Radio Matters in Emergencies

Modern communication infrastructure — cell towers, internet, commercial radio — is surprisingly fragile. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and even severe winter storms regularly knock out the systems that communities depend on. When that happens, amateur radio operators have repeatedly proven their value: a licensed ham with a battery-powered radio and a wire antenna can establish reliable communications when nothing else works.

This isn't theoretical. Amateur radio operators have provided critical communications support during events ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the 9/11 recovery effort, local wildfire evacuations, and countless smaller-scale emergencies every year.

The Two Major Emergency Communication Organizations

ARES — Amateur Radio Emergency Service

ARES is a program organized by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It's a volunteer organization of licensed amateur radio operators who have registered to provide communications assistance to government agencies, relief organizations, and the public in times of need.

ARES groups are organized at the local (county or city) level under an Emergency Coordinator (EC), with district and section coordinators above them. Groups maintain relationships with served agencies — typically hospitals, emergency management offices, Red Cross chapters, and public health departments — and train regularly to be ready when called.

How to join ARES:

  1. Hold a valid amateur radio license (any class)
  2. Register on the ARRL's ARES website and indicate your county/region
  3. Contact your local EC to introduce yourself and attend training sessions
  4. Complete the ARRL's free online EmComm training courses (EC-001, EC-016)

RACES — Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

RACES is a federally regulated program established under Part 97 of the FCC rules. Unlike ARES, which is a private volunteer organization, RACES is formally tied to civil defense and government emergency management. RACES operators are registered with and operate under the direction of local, state, or federal emergency management agencies (typically the local OES or FEMA).

In practice, ARES and RACES often overlap significantly — many operators are members of both. The key distinction is that RACES has a defined legal standing under federal rules, which matters in declared emergency situations where communication frequencies may be restricted to authorized users only.

What Emergency Communicators Actually Do

Emergency communicators (EmComm operators) aren't just radio operators — they're message handlers, logistic support communicators, and sometimes the only link between isolated communities and the outside world. Specific tasks may include:

  • Staffing emergency operations centers (EOCs) with radio communication capability
  • Handling Winlink email traffic when internet is unavailable
  • Providing communications support for shelter operations and resource tracking
  • Running VHF/UHF nets for field team coordination
  • Relaying health-and-welfare traffic for disaster victims trying to reach family
  • Supporting public events like marathons or parades where communication coordination is needed

Essential Training and Skills

Being a licensed amateur radio operator is the starting point, not the finish line, for EmComm work. Effective emergency communicators invest in additional training:

  • ICS (Incident Command System) — FEMA offers free online IS-100, IS-200, and IS-700 courses that are expected or required by many served agencies
  • Winlink — Email over radio; the standard for formal message traffic in many emergency operations
  • NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) — Fldigi and FLMSG for digital message passing
  • Net control procedures — How to run an orderly net when many stations need to check in
  • Go-kit construction — A self-contained, portable station that can be deployed within minutes

Building Your EmComm Go-Kit

A well-prepared go-kit allows you to operate independently for at least 24–72 hours without external power or support. A basic go-kit typically includes:

  • A dual-band (VHF/UHF) mobile or handheld radio
  • A portable HF transceiver if HF capability is expected
  • A deep-cycle battery or LiFePO4 battery pack with a solar charging option
  • Coax, adapters, and portable antennas (NVIS antenna for regional HF coverage)
  • A laptop with Winlink, Fldigi, and logging software preinstalled
  • Paper logs, pens, and printed net scripts as backup

Getting involved in emergency communications is one of the most meaningful ways to apply your amateur radio license. It connects the hobby directly to public service — and keeps communities more resilient when the unexpected happens.