ARRL Gets Federal Grant to Tell Amateur Radio's Story to Communities

NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 8, 2004--The ARRL has received new funding of nearly $90,000 from the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) to execute a pilot program that will enlighten localities about the value of Amateur Radio to community safety and security. The one-year grant will enable ARRL to develop the Community Education Project (CEP) and carry ham radio's message to a dozen communities across the US. The CNCS also has renewed ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course tuition reimbursement grant for a third--and final--year. The emergency training grant totals $179,600. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, says the CEP will work with Citizen Corps--the League is a Citizen Corps affiliate--and ARRL personnel.

"While our friends and major partners understand the power of Amateur Radio in an emergency, a clear understanding of what certified Amateur Radio operators can accomplish to enhance safety and security has not trickled down to the general community," Hobart said. "We know that our best work happens at the local level to keep communities safe and secure."

As examples, Hobart cited Amateur Radio assistance following the recent one-two punch from Hurricanes Charley and Frances in Florida and a spate of wildfires in the Western US. The Community Education Project will be an extension of the role hams play as individuals, within local clubs and on Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) teams, she said.

The CEP will work through local civic organizations, news media, faith-based groups, schools, food banks and a variety of other community organizations to get Amateur Radio's message across, Hobart explained.

Emergency Communications Training Grant Renewed

Hobart also said she was extremely gratified to see the third-year Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course tuition-subsidy grant come through.

"This grant award--totaling $266,599 for two programs--is a vote of confidence for what hams have accomplished over the past two years by being responsive to national security needs and in times of emergency," she said. "We're thrilled that we got this." Hobart said that in the two years since ARRL signed a Statement of Affiliation with Citizen Corps the League has increased its involvement with homeland security. She notes the ARRL amply exceeded the goals of the first two years' CNCS grants, "and we want to continue that tradition."

The third-year grant will place even greater emphasis on providing Amateur Radio emergency communications training to licensees age 55 or older. The final-year grant requires that the number of senior volunteers certified rise from 50 percent to 75 percent.

"This is a call to action to older hams who have not taken the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course to enroll," Hobart said. The final-year emergency communications course grant will provide training for 1700 volunteers.

ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, will be traveling extensively to both Amateur Radio and emergency communications-related events and meetings to drive home the point that hams play a vital role in times of disaster and emergency, as recent events have demonstrated.

"Many members of our Field Organization are seniors--age 55 or older--and some have not yet taken advantage of this training opportunity," Miller said. "Please encourage everyone--especially seniors--to take the Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course. With full reimbursement of the registration fee for ARRL members, the training is virtually free--but only for one more year." He encourages those who have already completed Level I to further their knowledge by completing the Level II and Level III courses. Tuition is reimbursable for all three course levels.

"The demand for trained Amateur Radio operators continues to grow at a phenomenal rate," he emphasized. "By completing the emergency communications training, you are reinforcing the lifeblood of Amateur Radio--emergency communications."

Level I course registration opens on the first Monday of every month. Registration is also available via regular mail. Send check or money order to ARRL, ATTN CCE, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. In the comment section, write EC-001 (for Level I) or the designator for the course you wish to enroll in.

"If you are 55 or over, write 'senior' next to the course designator, and your name will be added to the next available class for that course," Miller said. "If you hold an ARRL Field Organization appointment, add that title in the comment section. Field appointees move to the top of the list." Registrants also should include a preferred e-mail address, telephone number, age and veteran status. Missing information will delay processing.

The CNCS grants to ARRL were among $8.7 million for homeland security volunteer projects supporting more than 32,000 volunteers and sponsored by 29 national and local organizations.

A grant from ARRL's corporate partner, United Technologies Corp, will continue to subsidize Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course training until the end of 2005.

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