RACES is an organization of amateur radio operators who help provide radio communications needed by Federal, State, and local governments in time of emergency. It was created in 1952 primarily to serve in a civil defense emergency, and has since enabled amateur radio operators to perform emergency communications functions as an important supplement to State and local civil defense communications systems. RACES is governed by a Subpart of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations.
When is RACES Used?
RACES may be called upon by the legally appointed Coordinator of Emergency Management or his authorized representative for a particular area (town, city, borough, township, county, parish or State) in accordance with an approved civil defense communications plan in any emergency concerning:
Safety of life
Preservation of property
Maintenance of law and order
Alleviation of human suffering and need
Dissemination of warnings of enemy attack to the civilian population in case of actual or impending attack
Any disaster or other incident endangering the public welfare
RACES in Peacetime
Natural disasters often cripple or destroy communications facilities and equipment. RACES members are then asked to handle messages for police, fire, emergency medical, public welfare, public utilities, and other emergency services. RACES members also participate in emergency management exercises in peacetime. Under these conditions, any amateur operator member of RACES may operate a RACES station with the privileges accorded by his/her amateur license.
How does RACES Operate?
RACES stations are assigned to one or more radio nets; each net is under a Net Control Station. RACES nets operate under the direction of government officials in accordance with Emergency Management communications plans. These nets are capable of connecting city or county emergency operating centers (EOCs) to outlying areas, and providing communications between EOCs at various levels of government.
