About ARES/RACES/SKYWARN
ARES, RACES, and SKYWARN groups are formed by all volunteer ham radio operators that provide auxiliary communications to various emergency service and disaster response agencies. Our groups work closely with the Department of Public Safety, the Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service. Nationwide, these groups have Memorandums of Understanding with organizations including the American Red Cross, Department of Homeland Security, Salvation Army, and REACT International Inc.
When disasters strike, many times land line communication becomes overloaded and eventually fails. Public service radio becomes so congested that it too often fails to a degree. If the U.S. President ever declares that all normal communications are suspended, the federal arm of the groups (RACES) is the only group outside the government & military that is lawfully authorized to conduct communications. This makes ham radio, and the generous volunteer operators, an invaluable asset to our country's security & prosperity.
Our weekly Training & Information Net is Sunday evening at 9:00 on the 146.700- WA3UC repeater in Union City, 146.61- W3GV in Erie and 146.820- W3GV in Waterford. Erie County ARES/RACES/SKYWARN members are invited to check-in, visitor check-ins are accepted.