Volunteer

Volunteers are a key part of community preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.  Hour commitments vary program by program, and we have opportunities for everyone!

The New Hanover County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) is a volunteer radio communications service available to federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations. ARES can provide many types of communication including voice, Morse code, radio teletype, TV, and connections to the internet. During a disaster, ARES volunteers can be deployed to assist with communications needs.

Did you know? Amateur radio can be used to send emails when the internet is out of service.

Using a system called Winlink 2000, a computer can be connected to amateur radio which can provide an email server for the local network. This allows important messages about emergency situations to be sent to organizations and people outside of the disaster area where internet is available. For more information about ARES, visit New Hanover County Amateur Radio Emergency Services.