Who Might Need Local Help? 

 
Red Cross Shelter Scene    o Shelters operated by the American Red Cross - Rhode Island  Chapter  may be opened to provide a safe place for residents.

   o Residents needing fire and rescue services may be unable to get through to the state’s 911 call center.  Local lines to local fire and police departments may be severely impaired.

   o Deprived of timely situation updates from the field, emergency management agencies may not be reacting to the biggest local threats because they don’t know what they don’t know.

   o Faced with Internet and phone outages, local leaders may need alternative ways of sending messages to state and national officials.

Greg Henshal/FEMA photo


                            

Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)

A major function of Newport County ACS is supporting local emergency management agencies and county-level needs of the American Red Cross - Rhode Island Chapter. During official activations, ACS communicators provide assistance inside emergency operation centers, inside shelters, and provide radio relay services to other parts of the state (including the state's emergency operations center) and deploy to field locations as required.

A combination of  commercial, amateur, general mobile and military frequencies may be used at any given time. .

Full participation requires a criminal background check, formal training, and membership in the Newport County Radio Club.   For those with amateur radio licenses, ARRL membership is recommended but not required. 

ACS members are given access to sensitive areas and information so we take the need for discretion and confidentiality seriously. We enjoy a good working relationship with local emergency management agencies and we appreciate the opportunities they provide us.