The Kodiak Amateur Radio Emergency Service (K.A.R.E.S.) has been in existance since 1992.  We operate as a communications branch of the Bayside Fire Department in Kodiak, Alaska - serving 4 Fire Departments, other Public Safety Agencies and the community in general.  We function for emergency and non-emergency events where supplemental communications are needed.

Our "mobile command post" - a 1990 Champion 32 ft. transit bus, was converted into its present configuration in 2004.  The bus was donated to K.A.R.E.S. by the Senior Citizens of Kodiak. In addition to some typical Amateur Radio capabilities, the bus is outfitted extensively with Public Safety and commercial radio configurations - allowing us to communicate with a wide variety of agencies using our Fire Department vehicle identity:  "Squad-12."

Our ARES members are also volunteer members with the Bayside Fire Station - allowing us authorization to operate on the wide spectrum of Public Safety frequencies.  In emergency incidents, we primarily operate as a Fire Department unit, and as volunteers with the department rather than as amateur radio volunteers.