The Sarasota Emergency Radio Club (SERC) was incorporated in 1977, with a charter to provide communications support to the community during times of emergency or special events. SERC members are FCC-licensed, amateur radio operators or individuals interested in becoming amateur radio operators. Membership is open to all in the greater Sarasota area.

Because of its charter to provide emergency communications support, the Sarasota Emergency Radio Club has focused on assisting the following agencies and organizations:

• American Red Cross
• Sarasota County Emergency Management
• Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
• Florida Division of Forestry

The nature of the volunteer assistance rendered to the above agencies consists of providing trained personnel that can set-up and operate radio systems to provide voice, data and video communications throughout Sarasota County. These communications systems use the FCC amateur radio frequencies in the High Frequency, Very High and Ultra High Frequency bands. As such, reliable communications paths, ranging from less than a mile to several hundred or even thousands of miles, can be established.