Memorandum of Understanding

between

Hancock County, Illinois Emergency Services & Disaster Agency

and

Nauvoo Emergency Response Communications Radio Club

1. Introduction

The Nauvoo Emergency Response Communications Radio Club (hereafter referred to as NauvooERC) is comprised of licensed amateur radio operators who reside and/or work in the greater Nauvoo, Illinois area and who have volunteered their equipment and skills and have expressed a desire to organize, train and be prepared to provide auxiliary communication services for the Nauvoo Emergency Communications Network when disaster strikes or whenever called upon.

The Nauvoo Emergency Communications Network (hereafter referred to as NEC) is a loosely organized group of Nauvoo residents who have joined together to form a network of support during emergency situations. Their goal is to provide emergency communications using GMRS/FRS radios in order to request help from each other when normal methods of communications have failed.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this document is to establish a cooperative relationship between the Hancock County ESDA (hereafter referred to as HCESDA) and the NauvooERC and to establish an understanding within which the HCESDA and the NauvooERC will provide and coordinate amateur radio communication using the HCESDA Carthage, Illinois repeater (147.105) in support of NEC members in need of 911 services.

3. Recognitions

The Nauvoo ERC recognizes the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club of Carthage, Illinois (hereafter referred to as BBARC) as an autonomous Hancock County amateur radio club which assists in maintaining the Carthage repeater as well as conducting public service, educational and other club activities.

4. During an Emergency

a. When normal means of calling 911 are not available, a member of the NauvooERC will actively monitor the NEC network GMRS frequency 24/7 in case a resident calls for 911 services.

b. The HCESDA will station a licensed amateur radio operator (BBARC or other) at the Hancock County Sheriff's office near the 911 dispatch center to monitor the Carthage repeater.

c. When a Nauvoo resident uses the NEC network to call for Police, Fire, or Medical help, the NauvooERC agent monitoring the call will forward the address, nature of the problem, and any additional information to the HCESDA agent at the Sheriff's office using the Carthage repeater.

d. The HCESDA agent will deliver the information to the 911 call center for dispatch and then inform the NauvooERC agent of a successful dispatch who will then inform the original NEC caller of the same.

This Memorandum of Understanding shall take effect upon signature by the NEC President, the NauvooERC President, and the HCESDA Emergency Coordinator. This memorandum may be amended by mutual agreement of both parties. Either party may terminate this memorandum upon 60 days written notice.