Emergency Amateur Radio Service- EARS
EARS
Smith County EARS
What is EARS?
The Emergency Amateur Radio Service (EARS) 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. Every licensed amateur, regardless of
membership of any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for
membership in EARS. Training may be required or desired to participate fully
in EARS. Please inquire at the local level for specific information. Because
EARS is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible
for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is
desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
EARS Mission Statement
The Emergency Amateur Radio, based on a program of the TNARES and as
defined by TEMA. All trained Amateur Radio Service licensees who are skilled
in the use of a wide range of emergency and disaster communications
techniques and who are committed to supporting our partners’ missions in
service to the public.
EARS Vision Statement
The Emergency Amateur Radio Service (EARS), and many of the national
association for amateur radio operators, is comprised of organized, trained,
and identified Amateur Radio operators who augment and support vital
communications on behalf of the public through partner agencies and
organizations during emergencies and disasters. The Emergency Amateur
Radio Service, through its volunteer radio communicators, strives to be an
effective partner in emergency and disaster response, providing public service
to Smith County and its other partners at all levels with radio communications
expertise, capability, and capacity.
Smith County EARS (SCEARS)
The Smith County EARS consists of two townships, Carthage and
Gordonsville. For emergency communications purposes, SCEARS
is organized into three areas: Southern, Central and Northern. Northern uses
the central location of Pleasant Shade community, the Pleasant Shade
Community Center, as its primary location. Central uses the Smith County
Sheriff’s Office as its primary location, and Southern uses Gordonsville Police
station as its primary location.
EARS Leadership Structure
The Emergency Coordinator (EC) is responsible for coordination of
emergency communications activities and collaboration with Smith County
and its Emergency Medical Services and its management in addition to
County and city law enforcement agencies. The EC also may have one or
more assistants (AEC) at the County level to assist with organization and
operations. The AEC and above must possess a valid amateur license in
good standing of General Class or higher.
EARS Membership
EARS membership is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and
licensed GMRS operators who wish to serve by registering their interest and
equipment. Membership in any amateur radio organization or group is not
required to become a volunteer member. Those wishing to join SCEARS
should register their availability.
(Note: GMRS only members will not have Emergency Radio, but GMRS Radio on their ID.)
EARS – CERT Relation
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is an implementation of
FEMA's National CERT Program, administered by a local sponsoring agency,
which provides a standardized training and implementation framework to
community members. This organization of volunteer emergency workers who
have received specific training in basic disaster response skills, and who
agree to supplement existing emergency responders in the event of a major
disaster. Members of CERT are not required to be members of organizations
such as Rescue Squad, Volunteer Firemen, or other specially trained groups
