Simulated Emergency Tests scheduled for October

When emergency or natural disaster strikes, Amateur Radio is often called into the limelight of public service to establish a line of communication to and from the stricken areas.

Amateur Radio networks, once established, sustain communication during the emergency efforts by helping the disaster relief workers and public with point-to-point
communications or health and welfare messages.

During weather related threats or during the actual occurrence of severe weather, Amateur Radio networks are commonly on standby to gather information and report this
data to the National Weather Service or other pertinent authorities.

You've read about and/or have heard about these important stages of Amateur Radio public service in QST or on the Web or elsewhere. Make this the year that you take a role to learn more and become ready to serve in public service and emergency communications.

The ARRL sponsors a nationwide trial for Amateur Radio operators for a role in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the National Traffic System, the National Weather Service's SKYWARN, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) or other groups as well. It's the ARRL's annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET), and you're invited to join on October 4-5, 2008, or whenever it is held in your area.

To participate in this year's emergency test, contact your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager to find out the details. Although October 4-5 is the focal point weekend, ARRL Sections, ARES teams and nets may conduct their exercises anytime during September throughDecember.

If you don't know who to call, please touch base with your
ARRL Section Manager for assistance (see page 16 in any QST for contact information or consult the ARRL Web page).

Whether you're a new licensee or an experienced radio amateur, the SET is a golden opportunity to learn or practice useful skills in traffic handling, net operation and emergency
communications protocols and management.

ARRL Section Leaders and local or District Emergency Coordinators are encouraged to work closely with served agencies in planning these exercises. This not only helps to heighten awareness of Amateur Radio in the community, but also helps ensure that effective communication networks will be in place if an actual emergency occurs.

ARRL maintains National Memoranda of Understanding with several organizations and entities, and the SET is a prime chance to put these agreements into action. More details may be found here.

You are encouraged to consider this year's ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and all preparations, as well as post-exercise evaluations, as a demonstration of your readiness and Amateur Radio's readiness.

Be an active participant in SET, and join others nationwide. Additional background on the annual SET is presented in the article, 2007 Simulated Emergency Test Results.

See July 2008 QST, pages 62-65. Also, guidelines and specific SET reporting forms for the ARRL Section and Field Leaders will be posted on the ARRLWeb site.

Source: The American Radio Relay League