2009 Simulated Emergency Test :

It's time to get ready for the 2009 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test! ARRL Field Organization leaders are planning an event that will actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) and many other related groups that prepare for and respond to emergencies. Public service agencies and organizations in your community, ARRL Section or state will also be invited to participate.

You, too, are invited to be a part of this ARRL sponsored nationwide exercise on October 3-4, 2009, or whenever it is held in your area.

Although October 3-4 is the focal point weekend, ARRL Sections, ARES teams and nets may conduct their exercises anytime -- and especially during September through December. If you don't know who to contact, please touch base with your ARRL Section Manager and/or Section Emergency Coordinator or Section Traffic Manager for assistance. See page 16 of QST for Section Manager contact information or check the ARRL Web site . From there, you'll find links to ARRL section pages with appropriate contact information. There can be a role for you no matter what your level of experience. After all, it is a training opportunity to try out something new under simulated emergency conditions, learn or practice useful skills in traffic handling and net operation, and observe emergency communications protocols and management.

ARRL Field Organization officials in your area and Section are planning the simulated emergency scenarios that will be used during the SET event. These scenarios are designed to help you gain valuable operating experience, or to practice what you have learned previously or to put your Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course training into action.

In any emergency -- real or simulated -- a number of public service or public safety agencies and organizations are often also involved in the response.

ARRL Section Leaders and local or district-level leaders are encouraged to work closely with these served agencies, and the SET is a great chance to demonstrate the capabilities of Amateur Radio in the community and beyond.

For more information on whom the ARRL maintains a National Memoranda of Understanding with, check this page http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/

Guidelines and specific SET reporting forms for ARRL Section and Field Leaders will be posted online http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms

Please report your SET activities to your Section Leaders and to HQ.