AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE (ARES)

The ARES is composed of licensed radio amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.  Every licensed radio amateur, whether or not a member of RAC or any other local or regional organization, is eligible for membership in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service™ (ARES). The only qualification is a sincere desire to serve. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable but not a requirement.  Interested operators may REGISTER HERE.

The City of Barrie and South Simcoe (CBSS) Amateur Radio Emergency Service exists as a sub-group of the Barrie Amateur Radio Club Inc.

 As the incidence of disasters and emergencies of all types and causes increases, so does the need for emergency agencies to provide help in stricken areas.  Major emergencies can strike anywhere, anytime, without warning.

 Often, existing means of communications, be they landline telephone, cellular phone or wireless radio links, become unusable because they are overloaded or simply no longer exist.  They get overloaded when too many persons try at the same time to dial for help or to check on a friend or family member in a disaster area.  They can become non-existent when wires and towers topple and electrical supplies fail, due to acts of nature or terrorism. 

When emergency agencies are required in a zone of disaster, their regular means of communications can be affected by the same disruptive causes as others.  That creates a need for a supplemental or back-up communications system, one that comes complete with equipment and trained operators who are licensed by the Canadian government, all at no cost to the public or the agency involved.  In fact, these men and women are volunteers, members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) sponsored and operated by Radio Amateurs of Canada.

Join the ARES net held every Monday evening at 7:30pm on VE3RAG 147.000+ (need 156.7 tone)

If you are interested in becoming a member of the City of Barrie and South Simcoe ARES Group, please contact one of the following ARES members:

EC

AEC

CBSS ARES Links and Information