Big Bend Amateur Radio
Emergency Service

The Big Bend Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) Team covers the West Texas Section of District 5. ARES consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.

Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire with the local Emergency Coordinator for specific information. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

District Emergency Coordinator:   Bob Ward, WA5ROE

1402 N 5th St.

ALPINE, TEXAS 79830

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Emergency Plan for the Big Bend of West Texas

  1. INTRODUCTION
  1. The Big Bend Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operates under the auspices of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and is composed of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service communications duty.
  2. Under Federal regulations, Amateur Radio public service communications are furnished without compensation of any kind.
  3. The Big Bend ARES functions under this Emergency Plan under the direction of the Brewster County Emergency Coordinator (EC) who is appointed by the ARRL West Texas Emergency Coordinator in consultation with the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator.
  4. The EC may appoint assistant ECs as needed for the ARES to function efficiently.

2. PURPOSE

  1. The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing the minimum information needed in an emergency. Each emergency is different and flexibility to provide an adequate response to each is a necessity.
  2. The primary responsibility of the Big Bend ARES is to furnish communications in the event of a natural disaster or national or local emergency when regular communications fail or are inadequate.
  3. All drills, training, and instruction shall be carried out to ensure readiness to respond quickly by providing effective amateur emergency communications whenever an emergency may arise.
  4. The following agencies could be served during a communications emergency: Brewster, Jeff Davis or Presidio County Emergency Management under the direction of their emergency manager, Permian Basin Chapter, American Red Cross; Big Bend Regional Medical Center / Hospital; Salvation Army; Sul Ross State University and any other agencies requesting assistance from the ARES.

3. ACTIVATING THE PLAN

  1. Any member of the Big Bend ARES who for any reason suspects a communication emergency exists should monitor the assigned nets on the BBARC Repeater System, 3.922 MHz, 3.873 MHz, or 7.285 MHz (daytime) for activity.
  2. If local telephone service is available, the EC and / or assistant ECs will be notified by telephone.
  3. In order to alert the Amateur Radio Operators, the Brewster County Emergency Manager or similar official may notify the Emergency Coordinator of an emergency where Amateur Radio might serve the community.

4. ARES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE

  1. An announcement alerting all ARES members will be made on the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club’s (BBARC) voice repeaters.
  2. If possible, local broadcast stations KVLF and KALP will be contacted by the EC or its representative for spot announcements to alert ARES members.
  3. If telephone service is available, the telephone tree will be activated.
  4. Upon receiving notification that a communication emergency exists, members of the Big Bend ARES will monitor the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club repeater system. If high frequency communication is required, the Big Bend Emergency Net on 3.922 MHz will also be activated.
  5. Mobile units will be activated and dispatched.
  6. The EC will assume net control or delegate another station as Net Control Station (NCS). Net Control will maintain coordination with the Brewster, Jeff Davis or Presidio County EOC.
  7. Net Control is designated as a “Key Station” and will be extensively utilized during a communications emergency. Key Stations will have full emergency power capability with relief operators assigned to ensure continuous operation.

5. DUTIES OF NCS

  1. The Big Bend Emergency Net will be called to order by the NCS.
  2. Members of the Big Bend ARES will be checked into the net from their mobile and home stations to await further instructions.
  3. Liaison stations to the Texas ARES and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) net will be assigned.
  4. Mobile units will be dispatched to the agencies being assisted as needed. A mobile station will be dispatched to radio stations KVLF and KALP.

6. OPERATIONS

  1. All formal messages must be written traffic in standard ARRL form for voice transmission. WINLINK transmissions will use standard WINLINK message protocol.
  2. All formal messages must be signed by the official who originates them and is taking responsibility for their content. His title must be included with his signature.
  3. Messages procedures of EMERGENCY, Priority, Welfare and Routine, as defined on ARRL form FSD-3, shall be used on all messages.
  4. Stations will not transmit unless invited to do so by net control. The only exception to this is a station having EMERGENCY traffic that stations will say BREAK, BREAK, emergency traffic.

7. DRILLS, TESTS, AND ALERTS

  1. An annual test will be conducted in October in conjunction with the nationwide ARRL Simulated Emergency Test.
  2. To test the effectiveness of the operation, the Big Bend ARES will regularly supply public safety communications in conjunction with local events.
  3. The Big Bend Emergency Net meets each Sunday at 0815 central time on 3.922 MHz.
  4. The Big Bend 2 Meter Net meets each Wednesday at 8:00PM on the Big Bend Repeater System.
  5. The Texas State ARES net meets Monday of each week at 1930 hours local time on 7.285 MHz.
  6. At the discretion of the EC, ARES will be activated unannounced via the telephone tree or the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club Repeater system at various times during the year,