Daniel Gellert, Director

Black River ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)

Black River ARES supports emergency communication efforts in Taylor County through a dedicated team of licensed Amateur Radio Operators. These operators are trained volunteers who provide critical communications during emergencies when traditional systems may be down or overwhelmed.

ARES is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), a private nonprofit organization. It operates alongside RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service), which is sponsored by FEMA and administered in Wisconsin by the Division of Emergency Management.

Both groups play a vital role in supporting local emergency management and public safety agencies by:

• Providing backup emergency communication
• Assisting during disasters or large-scale events
• Supporting public service events and drills

All amateur radio operators are individually licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and bring their own equipment and expertise to serve the community.