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RADIO
AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE
R.A.C.E.S.
RACES
Explained
The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) is responsible for the regulation of RACES operations.
The Amateur Radio Regulations, Part 97, Subpart E, were created
by the FCC to describe RACES operations in detail.
Each RACES group is administrated
by a state, county, or city emergency services or emergency management
organization which is responsible for disaster services. These
organizations may sometimes be within another agency such as police
or fire. In some areas, RACES may be part of an agency's Auxiliary
Communications Service (ACS).
RACES is further sponsored
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through FEMA
Civil Preparedness Guidance, CPG 1-15, March 1991, which provides
guidance on developing a RACES group and planning for their use.
RACES
in Washington
Within the State of Washington,
RACES was established under FEMA guidelines and implemented through
the State Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) Plan promulgated
in November 1995.
The employment of amateur
radio through RACES is paramount during emergencies or disasters
where normal governmental communications systems have sustained
damaged or are overwhelmed.
Based on the State RACES
Plan and as implemented through each city or county plan, amateur
radio can be used to support the following needs:
- Back-up communications between state and city/county emergency
operations centers
- Back-up communications for E-9-1-1 centers, fire and/or police
departments
- Emergency communications for shelters
- Other emergency support as needed
What
is the difference between RACES and ARES?
RACES is primarily focused
to support government emergency management/services agencies during
times of an emergency and/or disaster.
Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) is the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) public
service arm for providing support primarily to non-government
agencies during an emergency/disaster. A primary user of the ARES
is the American Red Cross.
Amateur
Radio in Island County
Links
to amateur radio clubs in Island County can be found in the "LINKS"
section of these web pages.
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