We are so proud to have been able to participate in 2026 Douglas County Heroes Gala held at the Centennial Airport on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The event is sponsored by the Douglas County Community Foundation and the event honors our first responders, Armed Forces members, and other nonprofit organizations who support Douglas County and neighboring communities. Several ARESDEC members attended and did a “show-n-tell” of our Mobile Command Center and related amateur radio assets used in support of our mission.
Douglas County Community Foundation, (DCCF) a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit, provides community support for emergency needs when it matters most. Their goal is to provide relief and distribute resources more effectively and nimbly than local, state, and federal government. They also partner with nonprofits to target specific problems in our community that need more help. DCCF exists to responsibly manage philanthropic contributions, maintain agile funds and serve as a conduit in emergencies, inspire local giving, and provide resources and support to local nonprofit organizations serving the needs within the community.
Our group, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of Douglas and Elbert Counties (ARESDEC), aka ARES Region 1 District 5, is one of 28 ARES districts in the state of Colorado. For more than 30 years, ARESDEC has been serving our community in times of emergency and disaster by providing volunteer communications services to public safety agencies and support organizations (i.e., American Red Cross and Salvation Army). We are a service organization comprised of amateur radio operators who donate our time, equipment, and expertise. We train our members to use best communications practices to effectively assist our served agencies.
