About Douglas County ARES
We are licensed amateur radio volunteers dedicated to providing emergency communications for Douglas County, Oregon — trained, equipped, and ready to serve when it matters most.
What Is ARES?
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a program of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) — the national association for amateur radio. 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.
Every licensed amateur radio operator is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification is a willingness to serve, make application, and complete a County Background Check. Because ARES is an amateur radio program, all operators must hold a valid FCC Amateur Radio License.
Douglas County ARES is part of the ARRL Oregon Section and works in close coordination with the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, local hospitals, and other served agencies to ensure seamless communications support during emergencies.
National Program, Local Action
ARES operates in every US state and territory under the ARRL umbrella, but each local group is tailored to serve its specific county or region.
Licensed & Trained
All ARES members hold valid FCC Amateur Radio Licenses and complete training in emergency communications procedures, ICS, and served agency protocols.
Volunteer-Driven
Every member is an unpaid volunteer who donates their time, equipment, and expertise to serve the community during emergencies and public service events.
When All Else Fails
Amateur radio is often the last communications system standing after a disaster. ARES volunteers are trained to operate under adverse conditions with minimal infrastructure.
Serving Douglas County's Agencies
Douglas County ARES provides communications support to a wide range of served agencies — organizations that rely on us when their primary systems fail.
Served Agencies
- Douglas County Office of Emergency Management
- American Red Cross — Douglas County Chapter
- Mercy Medical Center
- Douglas County Sheriff's Office
- Oregon Department of Forestry
- National Weather Service — Medford
Our Capabilities
Decades of Service
Douglas County ARES established following the creation of the ARRL ARES program.
Integrated with Douglas County OEM under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework.
Adopted Winlink email-over-radio and APRS position tracking for enhanced situational awareness.
Active team of 40+ licensed volunteers, conducting regular training exercises and supporting county emergency plans.
Incorporating ARDEN (Amateur Radio Data Emergency Network) into our inventory of tools — expanding our digital data communications capabilities for emergency response.
Leadership
Douglas County ARES is led by licensed amateur radio operators dedicated to serving our community.
Become Part of the Mission
If you hold an amateur radio license and want to serve Douglas County, we'd love to have you on the team.