DERA is a global association of over 1,000 individuals and organizations involved in all phases of community preparedness, emergency response, recovery and resilience.  We provide networking, training and exercises and assist members to develop mutual aid arrangements.

One of our most important networking resources is our Section on Amateur Radio, which operates club station N3DAK and maintains IRLP Node 9099 and Echolink Cionference *DEC* for emergency coordination.

DERA was established in 1962 when an informal network of Amateurs who had been active since 1929 decided to expand into an international service association. Our section on Amateur Radio has been affiliated with ARRL since 1963. 

Our membership meetings were held in conjunction with DERA's annual "Planning for a Safer Tomorrow" workshops which rotated among Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado and California until COVID-19 restrictions made in-person meetings impractical.

Amateurs anywhere in the world are welcome to join. Please visit us at:  www.disasters.org