Local Memorandum of Understanding
Between the Hillsborough County Amateur Radio Emergency Service®,
a voluntary emergency and public service communications organization
sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, Inc.,
and NH Gateway Chapter-American Red Cross
Introduction
The NH Gateway Chapter American Red Cross hereafter called Nashua Red Cross and the Hillsborough County Amateur Radio Emergency Service® hereafter called HC-ARES, which has operational responsibility for Hillsborough County New Hampshire and who represent public-service oriented radio within this area, have agreed to enter into these local agreements which form the basis of this memorandum.
Purpose
This agreement between HC-ARES and the Nashua Red Cross establishes a framework of cooperation and provides for the close working relationship with volunteer radio amateurs organized under the authority of the HC-ARES and officials of the Nashua Red Cross.
It is intended through the joint cooperation of the local resources available to both signees, the public will best be served in disaster, emergency or public-service related situations. This document is not legally binding; it serves only as a statement of cooperation between the two parties.
ARES Organization
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service consists of federally licensed radio amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes pursuant to Federal Communications Commission Rule 97.1 (a) which states that a “fundamental purpose” of the Amateur Radio Service is:“Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”
HC-ARES is a local unit of the New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service®, a program of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) the national association for Amateur Radio.
“ARES” and “Amateur Radio Emergency Service” are registered service marks of the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated, and are used by permission.
The ARRL, the largest organization of radio amateurs in the U.S. sponsors the ARRL Field organization. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) is one segment of the ARRL’s commitment to service the public in time of need. Amateurs are registered as members of this national field organization which is divided into 71 geographical sections. New Hampshire comprises one Section.
The New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service (NH- ARES®) is organized in the following manner:
- NH-ARES is part of the national ARRL ARES program, and is generally organized as defined in the ARRL Public Service Communications manual.
- The ARRL New Hampshire Section leadership within the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® is exercised by the Section Emergency Coordinator (appointed by the elected ARRL Section Manager) with Local Emergency Coordinators assigned for a specific area within the section.
- NH-ARES has two levels of management, one at the Section (state) level, and one at the local level.
- An appointed Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) has overall responsibility for all ARES members and operations within New Hampshire.
- Each appointed local Emergency Coordinator (EC) has direct responsibility for members, planning, training, and operations in their local operational area.
- The SEC and ECs are appointed by an elected Section Manager (SM). The SM, SEC, and EC may also have one or more appointed assistants.
- Section leadership is responsible for operating and maintaining all Section-wide functions, and for providing certain training and administrative resources to support ECs. Served agencies with a presence only within a local operational area are the responsibility of the local EC.
Recognition
The Nashua Red Cross recognizes that the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® is the ARRL sponsored emergency/public service oriented communications organization. ARES consists of licensed U.S. radios amateurs registered nationwide, who are a valuable resource in providing critical communications during emergencies and disasters when normal lines of communication are disrupted.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® recognizes the NH Gateway Chapter American Red Cross, as a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter and the Principles of The International Red Cross Movement.
Principles of Cooperation
So that communications resources of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service may be coordinated and utilized to the fullest advantage during disasters, emergencies and public-service related situations, and to the extent permitted or required by law and regulation, the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service group and the Nashua Red Cross have agreed that each organization will:
- Encourage on-going liaison with the other, urging members of both organizations to develop increasingly effective communications and cooperation.
- Work with each other for developing emergency plans, training exercises, and a heightened state of preparedness.
- Work with each other in times of disaster or emergency to meet the needs of the public.
- Each party will, at the same time, work within its own lines of authority and respect the lines of authority of the other.
- Distribute copies of and publicize this agreement through channels to its own members, and to other organizations, both public and private, which may have an active interest in disaster relief.
- Establish a mutually acceptable means of identification for volunteers under this agreement which is honored by local law enforcement agencies during disasters and emergencies.
- Understand that either signee to this document may have similar local agreements with other disaster assistance-related agencies/organizations.
- Recognize that NH-ARES Amateur Radio volunteers will assist in performing communications duties in accordance with the “ Amateur Radio Emergency Service, New Hampshire Section, Emergency Communications Plan” (www.nh-ares.org/CommPlan/CommunicationsPlan.pdf) as it may be amended from time to time.
- Recognize that the parent organization, the American Radio Relay League and the national American Red Cross have also executed a MOU, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Implementation
This memorandum shall take effect upon its signing by authorized representatives of the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service group, the ARRL New Hampshire Section Manager and representatives of the NH Gateway Chapter-American Red Cross.
This memorandum may be amended in writing by mutual agreement of both parties, and it is understood by both parties, that this Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated at any time with reasonable written notification from either party to the other.
The initial period of performance shall be five years, effective from the date of the ARRL Section Manager’s signature below.
At least six months prior to termination, the parties shall meet to review the progress and success of the MOU and determine whether it shall be extended for an additional period.
This MOU will not automatically be extended and in no event shall any single extension of this MOU be for a term exceeding five years.
Miscellaneous
This Statement of Understanding does not create a partnership or a joint venture, and neither party has the authority to bind the other.
| Date | Signature | Title |
|---|---|---|
| ARRL Emergency Coordinator | ||
| ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator | ||
| ARRL Section Manager |
updated April 24, 2010