A volunteer is someone who serves in a community because they choose to do so. Volunteers may have special training as rescuers, guides, assistants, teachers, amateur radio operators, writers, and many other specialties.

If you’re up to a rewarding challenge which includes Amateur Radio and an ARRL appointed position, ask yourself "could I do that job?"

The first step is you have to be a full ARRL member. There are a series of emergency communications courses which have been developed by the ARRL to help get volunteers become familiar with emergency communications. The ARRL has an Emergency Coordinator Guide and you can order any of these publications from the ARRL or take the online course. 

So what are the qualifications for an Emergency Coordinator? Most of the duties involve working with various local agencies, promoting Amateur Radio, promoting ARES, providing training for yourself and your volunteers, and establishing nets. Need more information, call me or read about it on the ARRL web site.

There are other ways to get involved as well. Some ARRL field-level positions are: Official Emergency Station, Official Relay Station, Technical Specialist, Public Information Officer, Local Government Liaison, Official Observer, Official Bulletin Station, District Emergency Coordinator and Emergency Coordinator. There is also Section Level positions, either elected or appointed that are "management" positions, i.e. SEC and Assistant SEC.