Montgomery County ARES
We are focused on public service
We provide communications support to many community events such as the Glassner Autumn Challenge Bicycle Ride through South Montgomery County, the AGAPE Run For A Mom, Walk for Life, and many others.
Our goals for ARES operators
Net management experience
Emergency traffic nets can be intense experiences that require skilled and experienced net control stations. Our operators practice net control procedures on our training nets.
Ability to operate without utility power
At the most basic level, we can operate from our cars if utility power is disrupted. Our members work on developing additional capabilities with batteries, generators, and solar panels.
Accurately passing emergency messages
The key to ARES functionality is the accurate passing of critical messages between agencies (such as hospitals, shelters, and public safety agencies).
Digital message relaying
Some critical messages like lists of supplies, lists of missing persons, or lengthy directions, need to be relayed using digital means. Our operators work to develop and maintain the skills and equipment for such message handling.
The Central Alabama ARES Digital Communications System
The Central Alabama ARES Digital Communications System (CAADECS) is designed to relay critical messages between agencies in the metropolitan area using the NBEMS protocol over VHF. We can also use Winlink to pass messages out of the area and to email addresses nationwide.
Foster wide participation in the Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
The SET serves as a demonstration exercise on a national scale to show capacity to handle traffic, pass messages, and activate volunteers in counties all over the country in the event of a disaster.