Shenandoah County
Amateur Radio Group

Our Role in County Emergency Management

SCARg serves as a support resource for Shenandoah County Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF-2) — Communications. When the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated for events that exceed normal response capacity, ARES-trained operators may be called upon to provide field communications or EOC support.

Amateur radio's greatest strength is independence. Unlike cell networks or internet-based systems, a properly operated amateur radio station requires no external infrastructure. It can function during power outages and in areas where commercial communications have failed — making it a critical backup layer for public safety.

Our Primary Focus

Shenandoah County's most common emergency threats are flooding, severe summer weather, and winter storms. These are the conditions under which SCARg operators are most likely to be called out. Members train and prepare with these scenarios in mind.

Partnership with Shenandoah County Fire & Rescue

The Shenandoah County Department of Fire and Rescue (SCFR) is a combination emergency services system serving approximately 512 square miles and a population of nearly 45,000 residents across 12 volunteer stations. SCARg operates under SCFR's emergency management framework, supporting the department's all-hazards approach to community preparedness.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Group is to provide emergency communications support for Shenandoah County Fire and Rescue in the event of a severe communications blackout; such as complete internet and cellular communications failure during a natural disaster, terrorist incident, or civil unrest. All licensed radio amateurs are encouraged to join the group, attend our quarterly meetings, and participate in planned exercises designed to maintain emergency readiness.