SRQARES MEMBERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR RADIOS ARE PROGRAMMED WITH THE FREQUENCIES/ CHANNELS LISTED IN THE ICS-217. THIS ICS-217 CAN BE FOUND ON THE SRQARES WEBSITE <link>

There are three levels of activation, in addition to the “normal or routine” Alert Level 4 and SRQARES adopts the WCF Section Alert Levels;

Alert Level 3: One or more ARES group is on standby for possible activation in one or more WCF Counties

Alert Level 2:  One or more WCF Section ARES Groups (Counties) are activated.

Alert Level 1:  All WCF Section ARES Groups (Counties) are activated

Usually, the ACTIVATION will follow in order, Level 3, then Level 2, then Level 1.

The ALERT LEVEL is notification to the SRQARES members that the potential for ACTIVATION exists, and to what degree activation is possible or probable. Not all ACTIVATIONS will result in a MOBILIZATION.

An ALERT LEVEL 3 would coincide with an NWS/NOAA Tropical Storm Watch/ Warning and Alert Level 2 would coincide Hurricane “WATCH” or other severe weather event or emergency.

An ALERT LEVEL 1 would include, but not be limited to the posting of an NWS/NOAA Hurricane “WARNING” or other imminent severe weather event or other type of emergency.

Most emergencies follow some recognizable build-up period during which actions can be taken to achieve maximum readiness. These readiness conditions are used as a method of increasing the alert posture of SRQARES members.

SRQARES has adopted a color code for the Alert Levels and this is consistent with adjacent counties.

No ARES Operations in progress or projected. This is the “normal or routine” alert level. SRQARES leaders should maintain contact on the local and regional nets to:

• Establish and maintain relationships with potential SRQARES partners
• Organize, recruit and train SRQARES members.

• SRQARES members should improve their knowledge and skills through training such as;
  • Taking suggested FEMA courses
  • Participating in public service events, meetings, traffic and ARES training nets
  • Program radios with SRQARES frequencies
  • Verify the readiness of their equipment on a monthly basis
  • Enjoy amateur radio.

SRQARES Officials have been notified by one or more served agencies that reserve communications operators and services may be needed in the near future. No timeframe is associated with this alert level. SRQARES leaders should maintain contact on the state, regional and local nets to:

• Review the ARES emergency communications plan
• Contact potential ARES clients and the served agencies, and review plans and contingencies.
• Notify ARES members that activation is possible.
• Establish a R&I Net twice a day (0800 and 2000 hours)

SRQARES members should;

• Review their family emergency plan
• Refresh food, water and clothes in go-kits
• Check or charge HT and storage batteries weekly
• Keep their vehicle fuel tank more than half full
• Members should stay tuned to the assigned emergency frequencies (SAR-1/SAR-2) for further developments.

Radio Operations may proceed with Emergency, Priority and Routine traffic.

There is a high probability of an SRQARES activation. The Sarasota County EOC may be in partial activation. SRQARES Members should have their station equipment available at all times and be prepared for mobilization. Approximate timeframes are associated with this level. SRQARES leaders, or their representative, should:

• Participate in local nets
• Prepare operator schedules for key stations, tactical and resource nets
• Activate a resource net and assign Net Control Stations (NCS)
• Resource Net will operate at least three times a day (0800, 1400 and 2000 Hours)
• Conduct a daily meeting or conference call with ARES leaders
• Notify ARES members that activation is expected or imminent.
• RedCom may be operational and staffed by at least one Level 2 trained operator, who is also a Red Cross member

SRQARES members should;

• Check in to the SAR-1/SAR-2 repeaters Resource and Information net
• Prepare and transmit ROAR report to the NCS
• Secure their home, family and emergency supplies
• Top off their vehicle fuel tank
• Place go-kits and batteries in car.
• If able, prepare to deploy to assignments or staging areasNets are established at this point and will pass information on as it becomes available. Radio Operations may proceed with Emergency, Priority and Routine traffic.

The Sarasota County EOC will be in full activation. SRQARES will also be Activated at this point. SRQARES leaders, or their representative, should:

• Maintain contact with all served agencies and partners
• Monitor SAR 1 and 2 continuously
• The Resource and Information net will be operational on the top of the hour.
• Once activation occurs, the R&I Net Control should be Level 2 trained.
• Revise operator schedules for multiple shifts on key stations, tactical and resource nets
• Activate a Tactical net and assign Net Control Stations (NCS)
• Once Activation occurs all Net Control Stations should be Level 2 trained.
• Send a daily situation report to their DEC or the SEC.
• REDCOM will be operational and staffed with Level 2 trained operators/ Red Cross members, unless SRQARES leadership decides otherwise

Available SRQARES Members should prepare to proceed to their assignments or to staging areas for assignments, if mobilization occurs. Nets begin full operation, hourly check-ins. If mobilized, available SRQARES Members will check into their assigned nets upon arrival at their assignments. Full emergency communications protocols have been implemented. Radio Operations may proceed with Emergency and Priority traffic only.

1. By a request from one of our served agencies via the EC or a designee
2. Posting of a Hurricane Warning or other major storm event
3. Sudden loss of all normal communication facilities i.e., Cell Phones, Internet & TV
4. Announced SRQ ARES training Drills or Exercises

SRQARES activation will usually occur prior to the actual incident by our EC, or designee.  At such time, emails and phone calls will be made to as many active members as possible.

In the event of a loss of normal communications or you suspect an emergency is imminent and no formal activation is received, monitor SAR-1/SAR-2 at the top of every hour.

In the event the repeaters are down, monitor SAR 1 & 2 using the simplex mode.

Once activated, a Resource/Information net will be established using SAR-1/SAR- 2 as the primary emergency frequencies.   This net will operate at the top of each hour.  Basic information will be passed as it becomes available.  This is your opportunity to check into the net and submit a Radio Operator Availability Report (ROAR) to the net control operator and confirm operation of your equipment both through the repeaters and in simplex mode.  Follow Net Controls instructions at all times.  Listen carefully and do not transmit until invited to do so.

After checking into the R&I Net, the Net Control Station will direct you to a channel for simplex operations to confirm your simplex radio settings. Once you have completed the assigned simplex contact and confirmed your station operation, return to the R&I Net.