Skagit County ARES has recently evolved into a new and expanded unit of emergency communicators known as Skagit County Auxiliary Communication Services (ACS). With the ever-growing world of modern communication and information sharing, it is crucial to be prepared, versed, and skilled in various formats including HAM radio and internet-based modalities.
ACS volunteers run weekly NET tests on the county radio frequencies and maintain detailed records of regular radio operations. While functioning under the former ARES structure, all members were required to be licensed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before operating radio equipment, however, now that the unit is expanding to include modern internet communications, membership is accessible to a broader audience.
In addition to running regular radio checks for the county's emergency communications, ACS volunteers will be critical resources in times of Emergency Operation Center (EOC) activations. While regular lines of communication may be overwhelmed, and when emergency responders are in the field with radios, ACS volunteers will facilitate communications back to the EOC. Throughout the year, volunteers participate in coordinated drills and exercises, attend outreach events in the community and meet monthly to discuss the latest developments.
Beginning in 2024, the highly refined skills of ACS volunteers will be utilized to build out Skagit County's first MITRU (Mobile Internet Response Trailer Unit) which will be field deployable to provide fast and reliable satellite internet anywhere in the county.
ACS is volunteer-based and can only be called to respond during a County EOC activation or for the purpose of facilitating other municipal emergency management exercises and operations. Individual requests for response cannot be fulfilled.
