Saginaw County ARES is a public service organization, consisting of licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment to provide the communications needs for public service events and in times of emergency. Saginaw County ARES is dedicated to serving the communities within Saginaw County, working hand in hand with local and state governments, the American Red Cross, Saginaw County Health Department, MBS Airport, and other non-profit and community-service organizations.

In addition, the following items are also considered to be fundamental purposes for which the group has been established:

• SCARES will provide communications services to communities served for special events such as parades, walks, or bicycle races, etc., whenever appropriate for the purpose of training and enhancement of communications skills of its members.
   
• The group will establish and constantly improve efficient procedures for contacting members under emergency conditions and for assigning them to critical locations.
   
• The membership will help establish a self-contained network of amateur radio stations or other necessary equipment in locations deemed appropriate for provision of critical information flow in an emergency situation.
   
• Formal training programs for all members will be established in order to insure that expectations of the members are clearly understood and that basic levels of skills and performance required in emergency conditions of different types will be available.
   
• New members will be sought by the group in order to maintain and expand the necessary capabilities for it.
   
• Minimum levels of portable equipment kit requirements will be established and an up to date list of all member kit capabilities will be maintained to insure that emergency communications preparedness is known and available at all times.
   
• Provide "Mutual Aid" support to surrounding counties in times of needs.