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Tennessee Amateur Radio Emergency Service (TNARES)
Welcome to the TNARES website!

OVERVIEW

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) program is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Association for Amateur Radio. ARES is a component of the ARRL Field Organization, which divides the United States into 71 administrative sections, each managed by a Section Manager (SM). The SM appoints other Section officials, such as the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC). In Tennessee, the SM and SEC appoint Assistant Section Emergency Coordinators (ASEC), one for each of the "Grand Divisions" of the State (West, Middle, and East), plus statewide ASECs for special projects.

These ASECs are assisted by District Emergency Coordinators (DECs) in each region. There are eleven DECs in total. At the county level, Emergency Coordinators (ECs) handle local ARES management, since most emergencies and events occur at that level. Tennessee has 95 counties. ECs and DECs often appoint additional assistants. For more information, visit the ARRL website.

DESCRIPTION

ARES volunteers are licensed amateur radio operators who are organized and highly trained to provide emergency communications during emergencies and public service events. “When all else fails” is a motto of ARES, reflecting that amateur radio can remain operational when other systems have failed or are overloaded.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  1. Find the county you wish to serve in.
  2. Contact the Emergency Coordinator for that county.
  3. Enroll in a training program to prepare for providing communication services during emergencies.