Mission

The primary mission of MVARES is to provide timely, reliable and accurate backup emergency communications using amateur equipment and frequencies for emergency managers, police, fire, and other official organizations within the greater Maple Valley area during times of emergency or disaster.   The secondary mission of MVARES is to provide timely, reliable and accurate backup communications in the greater Maple Valley area during a major communications system failure.

Goals

The goals of MVARES include, but are not limited to:

1. Recruiting and training a pool of amateur radio operators qualified to provide backup emergency communications

2. Deploy those operators at the Maple Valley ECC or Field Positions whenever circumstances require.

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

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

5. Assist those operators in enhancing their experience as emergency services volunteers.

6. Assist those operators in enhancing their Amateur Radio experience.

7. Provide reassurance to city officials in the greater Maple Valley area that communications will be available to them in an emergency.

Background

Police, fire and local government officials recognize that following a widespread disaster, existing communications systems may be either seriously overloaded or inoperative.  MVARES was formed to provide alternate communications tools for use during a disaster response in support of human life and protection of property.

MVARES exists to provide flexible, effective simple communications solutions in response to situations including, but not limited to the following:

Natural disasters
Technological Disasters (HazMat Incidents)
Nuclear accident or Attack
Terrorist Incidents (Including Threats)
Severe weather conditions

MVARES Eligibility

Anyone living in the greater Maple Valley area is eligible to become a member of MVARES. A valid FCC Amateur Radio Operator License, Technician class or higher is required.  Members must register with King County ARES and also register as state Emergency Workers under Washington State code section WAC118-04 as emergency worker class “Communications”.

Online ARES Team Membership Application

Membership Duties and Responsibilities

A MVARES member agrees to participate in training and drills as provided.  When called out, a member also agrees to serve as a radio operator at the Maple Valley ECC or other tactical locations as required by the event.  Equipment to be operated may also include commercial radio systems and public safety radio systems.

MVARES Weekly Roll Call

ARES Team members are encouraged to test their radio equipment weekly by checking into the roll call each Tuesday night at 20:00 on 146.540MHz simplex (just before the weekly MVARC net).

Weekly Roll Call Preamble