This is the information site for the Knox County ARES/RACES-CERT organization. The group is comprised of trained amateur radio operators who provide public service communications support. Amateur ("Ham") radio operators are uniquely skilled and equipped to provide backup disaster communications for served agencies and the community during or after incidents that create a communications emergency. We also provide communications during community events such as bike races and walk-a-thons.

  • ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. This is sponsored nationally by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARES operators are registered with their local ARES organizations.
  • RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. This is a function created by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). These licensed amateurs are certified by a civil defense agency and can continue to operate during emergencies when other amateur operators may be prohibited from transmitting.
  • CERT is the Community Emergency Response Team program. This consists of volunteers who are trained in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search & rescue and medical operations.

If you are interested in joining our program, feel free to attend one of our monthly meetings. These are held on the second Saturday of each month at 9:15 AM at the Knox County EMA, 301 Park St. in Rockland.