SLO ARES Membership

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Licensed Amateur Radio operators, regardless of membership in the ARRL or any other local or national organization, are eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio service, only Amateur Radio operators are eligible for membership.

The goals of SLO ARES include, but are not limited to:

• Recruiting and training a pool of Amateur Radio operators qualified to provide backup emergency communications.

• Deploy those operators at city/county ECC facilities or Field Positions whenever circumstances require.

• Utilize those operators wisely, safely and with due regard and respect for the effort they make and the service they provide.

• Deploy them quickly enough, and in sufficient numbers to be of timely service.

• Assist those operators in enhancing their experience as emergency communications volunteers.

• Assist those operators in enhancing their Amateur Radio experience.

• Provide reassurance to officials in SLO County that communications will be available to them in an emergency.

Membership in SLO County ARES requires completing the ARES Level 2 (Intermediate) training, outlined in the ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book, and active participation with the teams. Please read the Membership Requirements Document before applying for ARES membership.

SLO County ARES Teams have been established to support the communications needs in the following local districts:

• South County-Avila Beach south to county line  

• Central County-Avila Beach north to Cuesta Grade 

• North County-Cuesta Grade north to county line 

• North Coast-Harmony/Cambria/San Simeon  

• Estero- Los Osos/Baywood north to Cayucos 

To submit a New, or Renewal Membership application, please complete the online application form, or  download the standard ARES membership application form and complete all fields. The completed application can be emailed to the team Google account: sloecc.ares.races@gmail.com

Current members must submit a renewal application annually (in January), or anytime their member information changes (address change, call change, etc.).

SLO RACES Authorization

The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an emergency radio service authorized in Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations governing amateur radio in the United States. RACES stations are only activated by the state, county or local emergency management authority to operate on their behalf. Only amateur radio stations who have previously registered with state and local governments to provide emergency radio communications for them in times of emergency can be activated. Other amateur radio operations might be suspended and operations under the RACES rules might be restricted to certain frequencies within the amateur radio bands.

ARES Members who have completed Level 2 training requirements will be encouraged to apply for RACES Authorization by their Emergency Coordinator or the District Emergency Coordinator. RACES authorization is provided by the County Office of Emergency Services (OES), and the application process includes a background check and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Membership in SLOECC

Anyone interested in supporting the mission of SLOECC is encouraged to become a member. SLOECC includes both voting and non-voting members:

• Voting Members – Any FCC-licensed amateur radio operator living in San Luis Obispo County is eligible to become a voting member. To join, simply submit an application for review. Membership is granted upon approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

• Non-Voting Members – Individuals with specialized administrative, occupational, technical, or other skills who wish to support emergency communications in the county may be appointed as non-voting members. These members serve in an advisory or auxiliary capacity and are appointed by the President, with confirmation by a majority vote of the Board.

Both membership types play an important role in strengthening emergency communications for our community.

To submit a New application for membership in SLOECC, please submit the online application form