Questions and Answers about SCATeam Membership

Question: What is the SCATeam?

Answer: The Sheriff’s Communication Auxiliary Team is a group of amateurs who provide emergency and other specialized communication services for and under the direction of the Utah County Sheriffs office Division of Emergency Services.

Question: What is the mission of the SCATeam?

Answer: The mission of the SCATeam is to provide emergency communications for the Utah County Sheriff’s office, and through it, for other agencies in the county. This is accomplished by providing a pool of trained amateur radio operators who are appropriately equipped and have a desire to serve. These operators will be drawn from the Utah County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) organization. The SCATeam also has the responsibility to develop and maintain emergency communications resources.

The SCATeam shall provide meaningful, realistic training, for the SCATeam and ARES members. This will be accomplished through weekly training nets, simulated emergency tests, interface meetings, agency specific training meetings, and providing communications at public service events.

The SCATeam is to develop working relationships with other agencies in the county and assist them in developing their emergency communication resources.

Question: What does the SCATeam sponsor?

Answer: It sponsors and/or provides leadership for many amateur related activities. ARES and RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) are under the direction of the SCATeam. The team provides all leadership and liaison with the Sheriffs office. The team is responsible for the developing and maintaining resources like the 1347.34, 147.28, and 224.70 repeaters. It sponsors the packet BBS and digipeater on 145.03.

It provides the leadership and maintains resources for the TERTeam (Timpanogos Emergency Response Team). The SCATeam also sponsors volunteer examinations for amateur radio. The team maintains a group of amateurs who are trained and equipped to provide radiological monitoring. The team works with other agencies and cities in the county to help them develop and maintain equipment and staff for communications between Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs).

The team endeavors to provide training and service opportunities for amateurs interested in developing their emergency communication skills.

Question: What is the relationship between the SCATeam, ARES and RACES?

Answer: The SCATeam is the key to ARES and RACES in Utah County. The SCATeam, under the direction of the Sheriffs office, provides all leadership and direction for ARES and RACES. It is the responsibility of the SCATeam to build and train the ARES/RACES membership.

Question: Do I have to become a member of the SCATeam to participate in ARES/RACES activities?

Answer: Absolutely not! The SCATeam can’t begin to fulfill it’s mission alone. That is why it is dedicated to building ARES and RACES. Your talents and training in emergency communications are needed. The time commitment required by the SCATeam is significant. We realize that many amateurs have other commitments. We hope that you will participate with us in training and any or all of our activities as your time permits.

Question: What are the membership requirements for SCATeam?

Answer: A specific list of requirements is available from the team. In general, you are required to demonstrate your interest, dedication and skills by completing levels one, two, three and four of the ARES certification program. You would also need to complete the Family Preparedness and Packet Radio certification programs. Participation in ARES nets and activities is also required. You will be required to write a letter of application to the SCATeam discussing your qualifications and commitment to the team. There will also be an interview with the Sheriffs office division of emergency management. You must be a licensed amateur radio operator of technician class or higher.

Question: Are there any benefits of SCATeam membership?

Answer: Yes, there are many benefits. One of the benefits is the pride and accomplishment of being a professional in amateur radio. Being part of the team brings you into closer association with the Sheriffs office and other agencies here in Utah county. There will be special training opportunities available to you as a team member. You will be issued a Sheriffs identification card and sheriffs patches for your uniform. You will be entitled to wear the SCATeam logo on jackets and other items of clothing. As a SCATeam member you will use the team repeater to coordinate with other members of the team.

Question: What would be expected of me should I become a team member?

Answer: As a SCATeam member you will be expected to maintain a high level of participation in all ARES nets and activities. You will be expected to attend a monthly SCATeam meeting and other special meetings or training activities as the need arises. You will need to purchase a team uniform consisting of a white shirt and brown pants. The Sheriffs office patches are to be sewn onto the shirt. You will be expected to accept and fulfill assignments on SCAT, ARES, or RACES committees. You are expected to respond to any official call-outs on a priority basis. Service on the SCATeam can require two to three days of your vacation time, especially during the summer months.

Question: I have heard that you need to own a lot of radio equipment to be on the SCATeam. What exactly are the equipment requirements?

Answer: You will be required to have all the equipment as specified in ARES certification levels one, two, three and four. The two major items are a 2 meter HT and a 2 meter 25 watt mobile. Other items required are coax cable, gain antenna, alkaline battery pack for HT, 12 volt power cables, etc.

SCATeam members are required to have equipment for the 440 MHz repeater band. The team maintains a 440 MHz repeater for team use.

Although it is not required, it is highly advantageous to have a working packet radio station. This will help you to develop and maintain your packet radio skills. The SCATeam will rely heavily on packet radio in all of its operations. Most team members continue to build their equipment resources over time as the family budget allows.

Question: What type of technical background do I need to have to be on the SCATeam?

Answer: The team is comprised of individuals with many different talents. Some team members are engineers while others have talent in other areas. A technical background is not required but a willingness to learn and be trained is necessary. The team needs talents in many areas other than technical such as leadership, management, and operating skills. In-service training is also provided to all team members.