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Weather spotter program
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Complete overview of Alexandria ARES capabilities: trained communicators, GIS services, mutual aid, training programs, IT support, and consulting services
Our core capability is a team of ARES Certified amateur radio communicators trained to integrate with emergency management operations and provide reliable communications support when primary systems are unavailable or overwhelmed.
Many of our members have experience serving with:
We can attend partner organization training events, participate in exercises and drills, become integral members of your emergency response team, and collaborate on joint response planning. Our volunteers understand how to work within established command structures and follow operational protocols.
What This Means for You: When you activate Alexandria ARES, you get trained communicators who understand emergency operations, can follow your procedures, and integrate smoothly with your existing team - not just radio operators who show up with equipment.
We provide digital mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) support to enhance situational awareness during emergency operations. Our GIS capabilities help incident commanders visualize operational areas, track resources, and make informed tactical decisions.
We can prepare custom digital map packages with layers tailored to your specific incident or operational needs:
Maps can be customized to show only relevant information for specific operational roles, reducing clutter and improving decision-making speed. We can create different views for different functions (command staff, field teams, logistics).
Practical Application: During a weather event, we can provide maps showing shelter locations, road closures, utility outage areas, and communications coverage - all on a single display that updates as the situation evolves.
As an ARRL ARES Affiliated Team, Alexandria ARES is part of a regional and national network of trained emergency communicators who can provide mutual aid support for extended operations.
We can request assistance from other ARES teams in Virginia and surrounding states who meet the same ARRL training standards. This means consistent capability and operating procedures regardless of which team responds.
For incidents requiring communications support beyond the capacity of our local volunteers, mutual aid allows us to:
ARRL ARES teams across the region use common training materials, procedures, and terminology. This standardization enables seamless integration of mutual aid resources without extensive briefing or retraining.
When to Request Mutual Aid: If an incident will require continuous communications support for more than 12-24 hours, involve multiple operational periods, or exceed the capacity of available local volunteers, mutual aid can provide the sustained support needed.
We provide training opportunities for new and experienced amateur radio communicators, focusing on emergency communications skills and community service readiness.
Through our affiliated clubs (Alexandria Radio Club and Mount Vernon ARC), we support amateur radio licensing classes for community members interested in obtaining their Technician, General, or Extra class licenses.
Regular training sessions and exercises include:
Training topics include:
New Member Support: Don’t have a ham radio license yet? We can help you get started. Our training programs welcome newcomers and provide mentoring from experienced communicators.
Beyond radio communications, we can provide information technology support services for incident management operations and large-scale community events.
We can deploy Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone systems for:
For planned events and emergency operations, we can provide:
For large events requiring wireless connectivity across extended areas, we can deploy mesh WiFi networks that provide internet access and local network services without relying on existing infrastructure.
Event Support: Community events, marathons, parades, and festivals often need both radio and IT support. We can provide comprehensive communications and technology services for your planned activities.
We provide guidance and assistance to religious organizations, community groups, and other nonprofits on establishing their own radio communications capabilities.
We can help your organization:
Guidance on selecting appropriate radio equipment:
We can assist with developing communications plans for your organization:
For organizations needing professional engineering services for permanent installations, antenna construction, or complex systems, we can help identify qualified professionals and coordinate the project scope.
Free Consultation: Initial consultations are provided at no cost as part of our community service mission. We want to help local organizations improve their communications capability and emergency preparedness.