The Benton County, MO Amateur Radio Emergency Service (BC ARES) is an organization of volunteer amateur radio operators dedicated to serving Benton County and the west-central Missouri area, also known as District A, with emergency and public service communications. BC ARES is affiliated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Benton County, MO ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) is responsible for directing the efforts of the organization and maintaining relationships with our served agencies.
WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE® (ARES)?
The 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.
ARES MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Every licensed amateur regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training is required to participate fully in ARES, including free FEMA Independent Study Courses 100, 700, and 800. You can find instructions and direct links to these classes here. Benton County, MO ARES can help you complete these courses. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable but is not a requirement for membership.
Here in Benton County, we work in conjunction with the Benton County, MO Emergency Management Agency. In doing so, we operate the county’s radio equipment including the Emergency Communications trailer and Emergency Operations Center Radio Room during emergencies, training, exercises, etc. We have a role in the county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan, which you will have access to upon becoming a volunteer member of the BC ARES and BC MO EM.
Benton County, Missouri ARES 