OVERVIEW

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) is a public service organization sponsored by the American Radio Relay League. Its members are licensed Amateur Radio Operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment to provide emergency communications as needed, and communications support to public service events. (Membership in ARRL is NOT a requirement to join ARES nor is membership in any amateur radio club required. It is open to ALL licensed Amateur Radio Operators.)

In officially declared emergencies, ARES® members registered with RACES may support state and local governments under the authority of the Office of Emergency Management. All Lee County, Florida, ARES/RACES members are registered with both ARES and RACES.

MISSION AND PURPOSE

The Lee County ARES® / All Lee Emergency Response Team is committed to providing reliable Amateur Radio communications support to the Lee County Office of Emergency Management. Missions may be assigned to the A.L.E.R.T. in situations of an emergency nature or natural disaster anywhere within Lee County or adjacent counties with which there is an Amateur Radio Emergency Service Mutual Assistance Team (ARESMAT) agreement. Additionally, Lee County ARES® may participate in non-emergency events as requested by event organizers, provided the services requested are within the unit's capabilities and in compliance with Federal Communications Commission Part 97 Rules.

HAM RADIO

Simply stated, ham radio provides the broadest and most powerful wireless communications capability available

to any private citizen anywhere in the world.