TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 477.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28d69266   
   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/1c63f4d2c May 24 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/1c63f4d2c May 24 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
      
   SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX003   
   ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant   
   as Ever   
      
   ZCZC AX03   
   QST de W1AW    
   Special Bulletin 3  ARLX003   
   From ARRL Headquarters    
   Newington CT  May 26, 2023   
   To all radio amateurs   
      
   SB SPCL ARL ARLX003   
   ARLX003 ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant   
   as Ever   
      
   The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio   
   Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within   
   the emergency communications space.   
      
   ARES (see the ARES fact sheet at, www.arrl.org/ares) is a network of   
   trained Amateur Radio Service licensees organized across the country   
   to provide communications and other support to served agencies, such   
   as local governments, hospitals, and disaster response charities.   
   More than 20,000 ARES volunteers actively participate in the ARRL   
   program. In 2022, they provided more than 420,000 labor hours of   
   service saving local officials $13.4 million in personnel costs.   
      
   Each member of ARES has specialized training in emergency   
   communications. Many have also completed training in the National   
   Incident Management System (NIMS) in order to integrate with local   
   officials during an emergency response.   
      
   In March 2023, FEMA released the final version of the NIMS   
   Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Functional Guidance,   
   which includes radio amateurs in the response ecosystem and national   
   emergency preparedness.   
      
   "The agreement is representative of the continued commitment and   
   cooperation between FEMA and ARRL," said ARRL Director of Emergency   
   Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. "Serving our country during   
   emergencies is an important service provided by ARES volunteers and   
   a principal purpose of our Amateur Radio Service. Our well-equipped   
   volunteers bring their training, use of innovative technologies, and   
   community partnerships together to serve before and during   
   disasters."   
      
   FEMA announced the new agreement on Twitter stating, "We recently   
   signed a new MOA with ARRL -- establishing our partnership with   
   licensed, voluntary amateur radio operators to support response   
   (and) recovery efforts. We're honored to work side-by-side to meet   
   the needs of millions in the wake of disasters."   
      
   Former FEMA Administrator and ARRL member Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, led   
   the agency when the previous MOA with ARRL was signed in 2014.   
   Fugate said the agreement underscores the importance of ham radio.   
   "By incorporating amateur radio into their emergency plans, FEMA   
   ensures that they have access to a network of trained operators who   
   can establish and maintain communication links when traditional   
   infrastructure fails. This collaboration between FEMA and Amateur   
   Radio Operators allows for more robust and resilient emergency   
   communication capabilities, ultimately contributing to effective   
   disaster response and recovery," said Fugate.   
      
   "The ARRL Board and the Emergency Communications and Field Services   
   Committee are committed to strengthening our resourcefulness to the   
   EmComm (emergency communications) community," said ARRL President   
   Rick Roderick, K5UR. "Our partnership with FEMA helps further ARRL's   
   work to better serve our volunteers, partner agencies, and the   
   country."   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
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