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E. Assumptions <br /> 1. Communication personnel shortages may occur. <br /> 2. Common carrier services may become inoperative. <br /> 3. Emergency radio nets may have to be employed to back up telephone <br /> communications and other radio communications. <br /> 111. ORGANIZATIONS <br /> A. Amateur Radio Communications Capabilities Overview <br /> Amateur radio operators can reliably and effectively communicate locally, <br /> statewide and nationwide on frequencies allocated to the amateur radio <br /> service. Amateurs have a wide variety of equipment available with <br /> emergency power sources for communications capabilities on the following <br /> amateur bands. Shown below is a brief description of reliable <br /> communications coverage. <br /> Band Coverage <br /> HF High Frequency County to state, nation <br /> VHF Very High Frequency in-county and to adjacent counties <br /> UHF Ultra High Frequency in-county <br /> Within these bands exists the means to communicate voice in AM/FM <br /> including Single Sideband, transmit data (packet) and send pictures or live <br /> images via amateur television (ATV). <br /> B. Volunteer Credentials <br /> Amateur radio operators who wish to volunteer their communications <br /> services during a county disaster must complete an application for RACES <br /> membership. Upon satisfactorily passing a background check members will <br /> be issued a photo identification badge to facilitate expected movement in <br /> and around the county during an emergency. <br /> Amateur radio operators are not required to have a volunteer badge or <br /> background check to become ARES members or participate in ARES <br /> functions. It is strongly recommended that ARES members also apply for <br /> membership in RACES and become badged county volunteer responders <br /> due to the similarity of the communications services and for flexibility to <br /> quickly shift from ARES to RACES mode when the situation changes. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Annex VII - Page 5 <br />