a voluntary emergency and public service communications organization
sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, Inc.
AND
CITY OF WATERTOWN DIVISION OF EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT
Note: This document must be signed by the ARRL Section Manager before taking
effect at the local level.
LOCAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Introduction
The City of Watertown Division of Emergency Government ("Division")
and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service ("ARES") group, responsible for the
greater Watertown, Wisconsin area and representing public service-oriented
radio amateurs within this area, have agreed to enter into these local
agreements which have formed the basis of this memorandum.
I. Purpose
This agreement between the local ARES group and the Division
establishes a framework of cooperation and a close working relationship with
volunteer radio amateurs organized under the authority of the American Radio
Relay League, Inc. ("ARRL") Emergency Coordinator and officials of the
Division. It is intended through joint cooperation of the local resources
available to both parties, the public will best be served under disaster,
emergency or public service-related situations. This document is not meant to
be considered legally binding. It is a statement of cooperation between these
two parties.
II. Organization
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service consists of Federally licensed
radio amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and
equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes
pursuant to Federal Communications Commission Rule 97.1(a) which states that a
"fundamental purpose" of the Amateur Radio Service is: "Recognition and
enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary
noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing
emergency communications."
The ARRL, comprising more than 134,000 radio amateurs in the U.S.,
sponsors the ARRL Field Organization. More than 25,000 amateurs are registered
as members of this national field organization which is divided into 73
geographical sections. ARES is one segment of the ARRL`s commitment to serving
the public in time of need. Local ARES groups are established components
within ARES.
The ARRL Wisconsin Section leadership within ARES is exercised by the
Section Emergency Coordinator (appointed by the elected ARRL Section Manager),
with the Section Emergency Coordinator appointing District Emergency
Coordinators and Emergency Coordinators within the section.
The local Emergency Coordinator is the key person within the ARRL
Field Organization to provide an ARES response in a given locale.
The Division is organized in the following manner: The City of
Watertown has designated its Fire Chief as the Director of Emergency Government
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for the City. He has organized the Division of Emergency Government. The
local ARES group will coordinate its activities with him or his delegates.
III. Recognition
The Division recognizes that ARES is the ARRL sponsored
emergency/public service-oriented communications organization. ARES serves
more than 25,000 licensed U.S. radio amateurs nationwide and can be of valuable
assistance in providing critical communications during emergencies and
disasters when normal lines of communication are disrupted.
ARES recognizes that the Division has been organized to assume
control and responsibility for the conduct of activities in the event of an
emergency, and that the safety and well-being of the public in the greater
Watertown area is dependent upon the full cooperation and assistance of all
persons in carrying out such activities. ARES members agree to provide such
communications as may be requested by the Division.
IV. Principles of Cooperation
So that communications resources of ARES may be coordinated and
utilized to the fullest advantage during disasters, emergencies and public
service-related situations, and to the extent permitted or required by law and
regulation, the local ARES group and the Division have agreed that each
organization will:
1. Encourage on-going liaison with the other, urging members of both
organizations to develop increasingly effective communication and cooperation.
2. Work with each other for developing emergency plans, training
exercises, and a heightened state of preparedness.
3. Work with each other in times of disaster or emergency to meet the
needs of the public.
4. Each party will, at the same time, work within its own lines of
authority and respect the lines of authority of the other.
5. Distribute copies of and publicize this agreement through channels to
its own members, and to other organizations, both public and private, which may
have an active interest in disaster relief.
6. Establish a mutually acceptable means of identification for
volunteers under this agreement which is honored by local law enforcement
agencies during disasters and emergencies.
7. Understand that either party to this document may have similar local
agreements with other disaster assistance-related agencies/organizations.
V. Implementation
This memorandum shall take effect upon its signing by authorized
representatives of the local ARES group (and their ARRL Section Manager) and
representatives of the Division.
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This memorandum may be amended by mutual agreement of both parties
and will remain in effect until terminated. The ARES Emergency Coordinator and
authorized representative of the Division will periodically review this
agreement and coordinate such revisions as may be necessary. Upon 90 days
written notice, this memorandum may be terminated by either party.
Date: 4-8-88 Greater Watertown Area ARES Group
By: Claude C. Held II
Coordinator
Date: 4-8-88 City of Watertown Division of
Emergency Government
By: Ronald S. Weavel
Fire Chief
Date: 8-24-88 Claude C. Held II
ARRL Emergency Coordinator
Date: 4-28-88 James E. Anderson N9AQH
ARRL District Emergency Coordinator
Date: 6-29-88 Fred R. Wendt W9ZAG
ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator
Date: 4-20-88 Richard R. Regent
ARRL Section Manager
