ARRL Spells Out "Ham Aid" Reimbursement Procedures
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 13, 2005--The ARRL has established a set of "Ham Aid" reimbursement
procedures so radio amateurs volunteering to provide emergency
communication in the field during the Hurricane Katrina disaster can recover some
out-of-pocket expenses. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has provided a $100,000 grant
supplement to ARRL to help fund Ham Aid, a new League program to support Amateur
Radio volunteers deployed in the field in disaster-stricken areas. Ham Aid also
has benefited from some individual contributions. ARRL Chief Development
Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, says the Ham Aid reimbursement program for the
Katrina disaster will be limited.
"In an effort to distribute funding to as many hams as
possible, expense reimbursement will be $25 per day for a maximum of four days
for a total reimbursement per radio amateur of $100," Hobart said. "Hams will
only be permitted one expense reimbursement during Katrina operations."
For now, the program only covers per-diem reimbursements
between September 1 and December 31, 2005. The period may be extended based on the
availability of funds.
Besides providing emergency communication within and
outside the affected areas, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members and
individual radio amateurs are supplementing the communication needs of
emergency management and relief agencies, including the American Red Cross and
The Salvation Army. Hobart said it's only due to the scope of the unprecedented
and tragic Katrina disaster that CNCS agreed to help support dedicated Amateur
Radio volunteers.
Hams seeking expense reimbursement must complete an on-line
application
form with the required information. The form also solicits some optional information,
such as license class, whether the applicant has completed any of the ARRL
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses and if the applicant is an ARES
and/or RACES member. The Section Manager or Section Emergency Coordinator on
site during the radio operator's service in the field then will review and
e-mail validated electronic forms to ARRL Headquarters.
Hobart says the League will accept reimbursement request
applications on a first-come, first served basis for as long as funds are
available. Reimbursement checks will be mailed to the address the radio amateur
provides on the form.
The CNCS grant is an
extension of ARRL's three year Homeland Security training grant, which has provided
certification in emergency communication protocols to nearly 5500 Amateur Radio
volunteers over the past three years. This grant extension does not
cover additional ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications training program
reimbursements, however.
Cash donations from individuals are also being accepted by the ARRL to support hams in the field assisting with emergency communications and relief efforts in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina. These funds will be used to provide reimbursement for personal expenses incurred by hams as they volunteer in the field. To make a donation go to the ARRL general donation form and select "Ham Aid". This is a secure site.
Page last modified: 09:44 AM, 21 Sep 2005 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2005, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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