The Gaston County
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (A.R.E.S.) is a 501 (c3) non-profit organization
made up of trained
amateur radio operators. During
times of emergency, disasters, bad weather, fire, automobile accidents, etc.
our skills, time, and equipment are volunteered in the service to the public,
providing vital, sometimes lifesaving communications where no others are
available.
The Gaston County
A.R.E.S. was officially organized in February 2001 with members devoting their
time and resources in establishing an organization that would help with local,
state, and national emergency communications plans, plus strengthen and broaden
our knowledge of radio and communication skills.
Locally the Gaston
County A.R.E.S. works with Gaston County Emergency Management, along with
several other agencies, (Homeland Security, Red Cross, National Weather Service, FEMA and others)
to assure the safety and welfare of the citizens of Gaston county should an
emergency occur. During the year, the Gaston county A.R.E.S. participates with
Gaston County Emergency Management and the Gaston County Red Cross in several
emergency and disaster scenarios.
Monthly ARES Meeting:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. holds their
meetings on the last Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Gaston County
Emergency Operation's Center. At these meetings, A.R.E.S. members are
informed of any news, updates, and regularly practice or train skills that may
be required during an activation or exercise.
FIELD DAY:
The Gaston County ARES participates in the annual ARRL
Field Day event each June. During Field Day, members of the Gaston County
ARES work together to set up and operate under simulated emergency conditions.
This is a great event to put our skills and talents to work. The Gaston
County ARES also uses Field Day not only as as a way to demonstrate to the
public and the local agencies it's capabilities as an emergency communications
organization, but also demonstrate the many great feature and benefits of
amateur radio
Weekly Test Via Emergency Training Nets:
Gaston County A.R.E.S. holds a weekly
training net on Thursday's at 7:00 p.m. on the 145.230 (W4BFB) repeater.
The nets are used to pass traffic and information to local HAMS. This also
allows operators to check and test their amateur radio equipment. Simplex
nets are also held to practice communicating across the county via simplex mode.
The Boy Scout's Merit Badge University:
The most recent merit badge university was held on Saturday, March 20th, 2004 at
Gaston Day School. Those involved assisted helping over 30 scouts obtain
their radio or electronic merit badges. Gaston County A.R.E.S. has been
involved for several years and enjoys sharing the hobby of amateur radio with
the scouts.
The Community Foundation's Run For The Money:
On Saturday, March 27th, 2004 The Gaston County A.R.E.S. set up a booth at the
"Run For The Money". This is an event to help promote non-profit groups
throughout the county. This event helped the Gaston County A.R.E.S.
promote amateur radio and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service to the public and
raised over $300.00 for the A.R.E.S. organization.
The United Way's "Day Of Caring":
Over the past several years, members of the
Gaston County A.R.E.S. have volunteered their time to provide communications to
those organizations involved in this event. This event allows members to
utilize their skills to provide a service to those organizations involved in
this event, plus give back to the community..
The Gastonia Christmas Parade:
Members of the Gaston County A.R.E.S.
have assisted the Gaston County Jaycees with communications for the Christmas
parade for the past several years.
Annual Duke Power Nuclear Drills (McGuire and/or Catawba):
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. regularly participates in annual nuclear drills.
Members provide shelter communications along with communications and active
links to and from the Emergency Operation's Center (EOC).
Amateur Radio Technician Class:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. has sponsored several amateur radio technician
classes. These classes have been very beneficial in promoting and
expanding amateur radio in Gaston County and surrounding areas. The
technician class of 2004 yielded over 15 new HAMS to the hobby.
Annual Statewide SET:
The Gaston County A.R.E.S. participates in the ARRL's annual Simulated Emergency
Test (SET). This event allows the Gaston County A.R.E.S. to practice their
skills during the regular monthly meetings and to test equipment, links, and
modes.
Skywarn:
Gaston County A.R.E.S. has been proud to sponsor several Skywarn classes.
Locally the Gaston County A.R.E.S. has sponsored the basic and advanced Skywarn
class as well as the radar class. With the threat of severe weather during
the Summer months, members and local HAMS are encouraged to keep up to date with
their Skywarn training.
September 11, 2001:
Gaston County ARES were called into
service by the Gaston County Emergency Management to furnish emergency
communications back-up incase Charlotte, NC was one of the terrorist targets on
9 -11.
Ice Storm 2002:
After a devastating Winter storm hit Gaston County, knocking out power to most
of the area, the Gaston County A.R.E.S. was called into action. Members
provided communications at 2 Red Cross shelters and were active at the EOC to
support the shelter communications and provide links to and from other agencies.
Hurricane Isabel 2003:
As Hurricane Isabel was wreaking havoc along the North Carolina coast, members
of the Gaston County A.R.E.S. were monitoring the situation at the EOC to
provide any assistance from outside the effected areas should it have been
needed.