Organizations
Individual operators can not join Communication Corps because there is no organization to join. Communication Corps is actually a co-operative between the various emergency communication organizations in the state. You can join any one of the organizations below and be a part of Communication Corps.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other then possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
[ Back to top ]
Military Affiliate Radio System
The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in military communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications. MARS provides auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency.
[ Back to top ]
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) group of Amateur Radio Operators that is administered by local, county, and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government. As part of the Amateur Radio Service, it provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only, during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. These emergency are not limited to war-related activities, but can include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, power outages, floods, victim searches, air crashes, and many others.
[ Back to top ]
Civil Air Patrol Communications
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is an official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It is a volunteer organization with a strongly aviation-minded membership. There are several Emergency Services areas that the Civil Air Patrol covers. The principal categories include Search and Rescue missions, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Services, and Air Force Support. Others, such as Homeland Security and Counterdrug Operations, are becoming increasingly important. CAP maintains a nationwide network of radio equipment and operators to support these disaster missions.
[ Back to top ]
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) provides emergency communication support to the Salvation Army wherever needed. SATERN members have found themselves in tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, fires, aircraft accidents, bombings, and earthquakes. SATERN volunteers establish health-and-welfare nets, pass messages between field workers and their respective command posts, string up dipoles and operate from emergency generators.
[ Back to top ]
