Organizations & Emergency Partners

National Organizations

Membership benefits, advocacy, and training resources worth monitoring.

• ARRL (American Radio Relay League)

  Regulatory advocacy, publications, EMCOMM Academy, and Logbook of The World.
• AMSAT

  Amateur satellite launches, tutorials, and operating schedules.
• Skywarn / NWS

  Official severe-weather spotting courses and briefing products.

Emergency & Public Service Partners

Agreements that activate OBARC volunteers.

• DeSoto County EMA / ARES

  Quarterly exercises, shelter support, and interoperable comms planning.
• Olive Branch Police & Fire

  Public-safety outreach, parades, and rapid deployment drills.
• Mississippi & Tennessee Emergency Management

  State-level coordination for disaster declarations and resource requests.

Regional Clubs & Technical Communities

Collaboration expands coverage and training opportunities.

• Mid-South Amateur Radio Association (MARA)

  Memphis-area repeaters, VE sessions, and technical workshops.
• DeSoto Amateur Radio Emergency Service

  ARES team focusing on bike rides, runs, and community events.
• STEM & Maker Partners

  North Mississippi Makers, CodeCrew, and school robotics teams for joint outreach.

How to Plug In

Make your interest known so coordinators can mobilize you when needed.

• Keep your FEMA IS-100/200/700 certificates handy; most agencies ask for them.
• Attend at least one partner meeting or virtual briefing each quarter so names stay familiar.
• Log public-service hours in the club tracker. Data helps us justify grants and equipment loans.
• If you have agency contacts, loop the OBARC board in so we present a unified front.