Experienced public safety managers dealing with emergencies know that effective communications is very important when it comes to saving lives and property.  To aid in this effort, amateur radio operators have organized themselves to promote readiness and preparedness to respond in times of emergencies or disasters. 

Utah State and Davis County have organized interested amateur radio operators into programs called RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services, a state wide system) and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services, a county level organization).  Clearfield City and other Northern Davis County area amateur radio operators have an ARES sub-organization called CSERG (Community Services Emergency Radio Group) to provide a group of trained radio operators in the Clearfield area ready to respond to an emergency or event.  CSERG assist providing critical radio communication when public safety and paid service providers cannot accomplish the entire job. 

CSERG also offers services in community activities that are not considered emergencies as well.  These activities include large events where communications are needed to have continued organization (such as a city parade, or festival), to provide resources where needed, and provide critical surveillance for locations where potential hazards may be developing and immediate notification is required. 

CSERG participates in a weekly radio net designed to train and exercise radio operator skills.  This net is held each Wednesday night at 8:30 PM on a radio frequency of 145.770 MHz (simplex) linked with 448.825 MHZ (Clearfield repeater with a tone of 123).  This and other nets promotes regular contact with other amateur radio operators, and allows operators to receive training on proper radio protocol, emergency preparedness, developing and maintaining radio operating skills and keeping equipment ready for immediate response.  The last Wednesday of each month, the CSERG meets at the Clearfield City Hall to go over committee assignments and to receive further classroom-type training.  Not only are the meetings instructional, but also one builds new friendships, and becomes more aware of community needs.

Clearfield City has developed a radio communications room for the purpose of providing support to any of the local dispatch centers and to provide communications for Emergency Operations Centers.  Radio equipment has been made available to allow licensed amateur radio operators to complete their communications assignment from a dedicated emergency command center.  Trained radio operators receive and pass along critical messages aiding victims and decision makers.

All amateur radio operators are welcome to participate with CSERG and take advantage of the weekly net and monthly meeting.  As mentioned above, CSERG is a part of the Davis County ARES group.  Davis County ARES has a weekly net that meets on a frequency of 147.420 MHz (simplex) each Thursday evening at 7:00 PM.  Those who participate in these two nets maintain a good sense of the condition of emergency preparedness in Davis County.

There are many aspects to amateur radio.  At the entry level (Technician Class), a person may learn to communicate by radio throughout the region and the world through computer assisted programs such as IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) and ECHO Link.  There is a section in this web page giving information about IRLP to help someone become familiar with this exciting and far-reaching aspect of radio communications.  Visit the following websites for more information about these two areas of radio communications. (http://www.irlp.net/) and (http://www.echolink.org/)

If there are any local area individuals interested in obtaining information about how to become a licensed amateur radio operator, they should contact Morton Sparks, Clearfield City Emergency Services Director at (801) 525-2744 or Rich Fisher, CSERG Coordinator at (801) 773-9312.  Either of these amateur radio operators can give directions about the process of gaining a license.   Please feel welcome to visit the Davis County Amateur Radio Club website (http://www.dcarc.net/) to learn much more and to obtain information about what is available in emergency communications and amateur radio.