The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

When disaster strikes (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, etc.) Radio Amateurs are quick to offer their expertise, experience, equipment, and, most of all, time to provide emergency communications when normal means of communications are inoperative, unavailable or overloaded. No matter what it takes, "hams" will find a way to get the message through.

This is all done by volunteers, as it is illegal to accept compensation for communications via Amateur Radio. This is the "service" aspect of Amateur Radio.