The Marion County Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment with their local ARES leadership for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.

Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible to apply for membership in ARES.  Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES.  Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.		  

 

Throughout much of Florida ARES members provide communication services to county EOC's and shelters during times of emergencies.  However, in Marion County, the Marion County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management is the lead agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities.  In Marion County, ARES will provide assistance to any government or NGO when requested and provide routine and welfare traffic through the National Traffic System - it's what the Amateur Radio Relay League is all about.

 

The Marion County Emergency Radio Team - MERT - consists of Amateur Radio operators who voluntarily assist the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management with communications when other methods have failed.   In emergency situations, MERT members man the Marion Co EOC and select shelters.  If you would like to find out more about MERT and join their program, go to their website at http://www.directra.com/org/view/101 or contact them at: 352-369-8194 or by E-mail at: kg4nxo@marionso.com   Marion County ARES supports MERT.
 

Marion County Sheriffs Office CERT Team

The Citizens Emergency Response Team is trained in all manor of basic disaster relief. Training in basic fire suppression, first aid, advanced first aid with little supplies, structure searching, and what to do when faced with an emergency.

 

The program graduates 4 classes each year. This course is free of cost, and upon completion, you will be invited to join a CERT team. To find out more about CERT and other volunteer programs by contacting the Marion Co Sheriffs office.

 

Marion County ARES supports the efforts of CERT.
 
GO TO THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER WEBSITE - CLICK HERE...
 
WANT TO JOIN THE MARION COUNTY ARES?  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
 
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