Statement of Affiliation Between The
Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Radio Relay League

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) view community disaster preparedness and response as top priorities for their respective organizations and for the American People.  As such, our organizations have come together to provide mutual support for Citizen Corps.

Under the direction of DHS, Citizen Corps is a community-based initiative to engage all citizens in homeland security and community and family preparedness through public education and outreach, training opportunities, and volunteers programs.  Programs under the Citizen Corps umbrella include federally sponsored programs and other activities that share the goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to terrorism, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.

ARRL is a non-commercial membership association of radio amateurs organized for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio communications and experimentation, for the establishment of network to provide communications in the event of disasters or other emergencies, for the advancement of the public welfare, and for the representation of the Radio Amateur in legislative and regulatory matters.  ARRL is the principal organization representing the interests of the more than 650,000 U.S. Radio Amateurs.  Because of its organized emergency capability, ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) can be of valuable assistance in providing critical and essential communications during emergencies and disasters when normal lines of communication are disrupted.  ARRL conducts emergency communications training and certifies proficiency in emergency communications skills. 

Together DHS and ARRL agree to work collaboratively to:

• Raise public awareness about the use of Amateur Radio as a public safety resource;
• Provide training and accreditation for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications;
• Promote the formation of local Citizen Corps Councils and assist these Councils with providing public education, training, and volunteer service opportunities that support first responders, disaster relief organizations, and community safety efforts;
• Publicly acknowledge the affiliation of the Citizen Corps and the ARRL, which may include website links, co-logos on publications, and references in printed materials, including articles and news releases;
• Coordinate their respective activities to further their shared mission; and
• Keep each other informed of activities conducted in support of Citizen Corps and to provide an annual report summarizing those activities.

On this 21^st day of June 2003, both parties enter into this agreement in good faith and agree to pursue the shared mission as stated.