This page was updated 02/27/2027
The following section activation levels are derived from the West Central Florida Section Emergency Communications Plan (pages 6-7). That plan can be found at https://arrlwcf.org/download/wcfares/WCFSection_ARESPlan_040125.pdf
Our West Central Florida Activations levels are:
• Level 4: Routine Operations – No standby for activation or current activations. ARES members go about their normal daily routines. This is a good time to check go-kits, emergency supplies, and family evacuation and communications plans. Members participate in regular ARES training nets to receive updates on section status and maintain proficiency in radio operations.
• Level 3: Alert Status – One or more ARES groups on Standby for possible activation in one or more WCF Counties. ARES members should follow the instructions of their sponsoring organization. For regional events such as hurricanes, members should monitor news media, their county ACS/ARES net, and/or the NI4CE repeater system for situation awareness.
• Level 2: Partial Activation – One or more WCF Section ARES Groups are activated. Members of the activated groups follow the directions of their sponsoring organization. Members who are not activated should continue to monitor news media, their local ARES net, and/or the NI4CE repeater system for potential callouts for additional operators in the activated groups. Requests for additional operators should be handled through mutual aid agreements or requested through the Section Emergency Coordinator or Section Manager. Activated groups will normally suspend their regularly scheduled training nets. During scheduled events (e.g., marathon, 10K run, walk-a-thon, etc.), the sponsoring organization may ask the ARES support team to assume Level 2.
• Level 1: Full Section Activation – All WCF Section ARES Groups are activated. All WCF nets are cancelled until further notice. Activated ARES members will perform under the direction of their sponsoring organizations. ARES members, who are not activated, carry out their primary responsibilities in support of their family. All members should be aware of situations for assistance when needed.
We must stress that ARES members should never deploy without specific activation instructions from their sponsoring organization.
