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The purpose of the agreement between the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and The Salvation Army in the United States of America is to establish a framework for cooperation between the two organizations for relief of disaster victims. It is intended that coordination of facilities, equipment and personnel of the two organizations may provide better service of victims of natural or man-made disasters.
The American Radio Relay League, since its inception in 1914 up to the present, has observed a self-imposed responsibility for the welfare and conduct of the Amateur Radio Service as regulated by Part 97 of FCC's Rules and Regulations. Principal in that responsibility has been the rendition of public service and communication through the handling of third party communications for the general public, and communications in time of emergency when normal communications are not available. Using amateur radio operators in the amateur bands, the American Radio Relay League has been in the forefront of this activity in serving the general public directly and through government and welfare agencies, and continues to do so. To that end, in 1935, the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps was organized; and in 1949, the National Traffic System was established.
The Salvation Army has, for many years, provided emergency services to individuals and groups in time of disaster. This service has received public recognition. The Congress of the United States of America enacted the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, which, as amended by the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, Public Law 93-288, officially recognized the capabilities of The Salvation Army.
Since that time, The Salvation Army has entered into specific agreements with other agencies concerned with emergency and disaster relief services both public and private.
The Salvation Army recognizes that the American Radio Relay League, because of its organized emergency communications facilities, can be of invaluable assistance in providing communications during emergencies and disasters when normal lines of communication are disrupted.
The American Radio Relay League, Incorporated, recognizes The Salvation Army as an agency whose corporate charter merits sanction by the Federal government to provide community aid in times of disaster. It further recognizes The Salvation Army as a channel for voluntary service during such time.
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the principal organization representing the interests of U.S. Radio Amateurs. It is governed by a Board of fifteen directors elected by the membership. For more than 80 years, ARRL has been the standard-bearer in amateur radio affairs throughout the U.S.
For emergency communications, ARRL sponsors the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), a division of its over-all public service organization. The ARES is organized under local emergency coordinators, with local plans coordinated through section (usually state) emergency coordinators and a public service coordinator located at ARRL's Newington, Connecticut international headquarters. The National Traffic System (NTS) functions daily in handling medium and long haul message traffic, and is ready at all times to function in an emergency situation.
The Salvation Army in the United States of America has its national headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and is incorporated under the laws of New Jersey. For administrative purposes, the United States is divided into four territories, each having its own headquarters and corporate structure. These territories and headquarters are:
Reporting to each territorial office are from nine (9) to eleven (11) divisional administrative centers, strategically located in the territories. Salvation Army personnel in these centers direct activities in from one (1) to four (4) states. Reporting to divisional centers are local corps community centers (churches) and social service institutions of other types; also reporting to divisional centers are numerous local volunteer committees operating in smaller communities.
In order that dependable communications might be maintained and that relief operations might be quickly expedited, the American Radio Relay League, Incorporated and The Salvation Army agree that:
A. Each organization will, through channels to its local units, encourage ongoing liaison with the other, urging both staff and volunteers to create and maintain adequate communication and effective relationships at all levels.
B. Each organization will participate in cooperative pre-disaster planning and training programs at local, regional and national levels.
C. Each organization will, in times of disaster, cooperate to meet the needs of disaster victims, and of the agencies and organizations attempting to serve them. Each will make its facilities, resources, and capabilities accessible to the other, in accordance with established plans and procedures for cooperative service.
D. Each organization will work through its own lines of authority and respect the lines of authority of the other.
E. Each organization will distribute copies of this agreement through channels to its own field units, and to other organizations, both public and private, which may have an active interest in emergency and disaster relief.
revised January 1996
