SB QST @ ARL $ARLB041
ARLB041 ARRL becomes an affiliate program of Citizen Corps

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ARRL Bulletin 41  ARLB041
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  June 24, 2003
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB041
ARLB041 ARRL becomes an affiliate program of Citizen Corps

ARRL now is an official affiliate program of Citizen Corps, an
initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance
public preparedness and safety. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP,
signed a formal Statement of Affiliation between DHS and ARRL during
the ARRL 2003 National Convention June 21 in Dallas, Texas.

Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response
Directorate (FEMA) Ron Castleman represented DHS at the signing.
Citizen Corps Liaison to the White House Liz DiGregorio called ham
radio operators the ''first of the first responders.''

''You are there. You are part of that very, very first response when
it happens locally,'' especially in the initial stages of an
emergency or disaster, DiGregorio told the overflow audience at the
signing ceremony. She urged amateurs to explore ways to expand their
role in the community beyond being the last resort when other
communication systems fail. ''You need to show your community that
you're engaged,'' she said. ''They need to know as a community that
ARRL is there.''

Among other things, the affiliation statement calls on DHS and ARRL
to raise public awareness of Amateur Radio as a safety resource. In
addition, DHS and ARRL will cooperate in providing training and
accreditation for Amateur Radio emergency communications and promote
the formation of local Citizen Corps councils.
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