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B. Purpose <br /> To establish an understanding of the volunteer emergency communication <br /> capabilities existing with Indian River County which are available through the <br /> Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Civil <br /> Emergency Service (RACES) programs. To also establish the interfaces <br /> between county emergency management and the volunteer communicators <br /> for emergency call-ups and operations. <br /> C. Mission <br /> To provide timely, effective and reliable emergency communications <br /> capabilities to county/state emergency management during times of <br /> extraordinary need. This annex provides information on notification, <br /> mobilization and coordination of the Amateur Radio Operators who have <br /> volunteered to assist. <br /> D. Situation <br /> Normal communication facilities may be disrupted or overloaded as a result <br /> of a manmade or natural disaster. <br /> 1. The salient geographic/demographic characteristics of Indian River <br /> County do not, as a rule, produce severe communication problems. <br /> 2. Atmospheric conditions rarely limit the County distance capability for <br /> clear communications. <br /> 3. The Blue Cypress area, west of Vero Beach, may occasionally <br /> experience limited communications due to distance (20 miles) and <br /> foliage. <br /> 4. The Sebastian Inlet, situated in the northern part of the County, may <br /> present communication difficulties because of its low lying locations. <br /> 5. The northwest section of the County occasionally presents limited <br /> communications due to the distance (22 miles) and adverse weather <br /> conditions. <br /> 6. The different forms of communication systems previously utilized <br /> have provided adequate dissemination of information during past <br /> emergencies. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Annex VII - Page 4 <br />