AG23
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 23  ARLB023
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  September 11, 2023
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB023
ARLB023 ARRL New Jersey Sections Sign Agreement with American Red
Cross

On Friday, August 25, 2023, Section Manager of the ARRL Northern New
Jersey Section Robert Buus, W2OD, and Section Manager of the ARRL
Southern New Jersey Section Tom Preiser, N2XW, signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with representatives from the American Red
Cross (ARC) New Jersey Region. The MOU focuses on disaster planning
and response for communities within New Jersey during and after a
disaster event.

'For the first time in a long time, both the Northern and Southern
New Jersey Sections will be working together,' said Preiser. 'It's
critically important we know who we're working with and develop a
good relationship to help make our responses effective every time.'

Buus agreed, stating, 'It's really a win-win for everyone. We've
worked with the Red Cross for many years [and] this goes a long way
to strengthen relationships and provide help in all types of
situations,' he said.

As part of the MOU, Amateur Radio Emergency Service, ARES, teams in
New Jersey will aid with communications in support of disaster
relief through training, testing, and exercises, and by providing
emergency communications to support local shelter operations. This
is especially important when normal communications are disrupted or
overloaded.

ARES teams throughout New Jersey have supported ARC shelter disaster
operations and operated ARC emergency communications. For example,
the ARC Princeton office is maintained and operated by the Mercer
County team, and the Gloucester County team supports the ARC
Pennsauken office. Other joint ARES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Services, and auxiliary communications teams have provided ARC
shelter services during past emergency activations.