Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

Joint sponored and administered by the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY and the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.

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Communication: The Key To Survival.

Reliable communication is essential to emergency response. RACES can make the difference between life and death. It can be a vital link in this life-saving emergency communication network.

    What is RACES?

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) provides for amateur radio operation for emergency communications purposes only, during periods of local, regional, or national emergencies.

RACES is an essential link to help warn people about disasters. 

RACES networks

Every RACES station is a part of one or more emergency communications networks. These networks provide vital communication for:

• Local government emergency operating centers
  
• State government emergency operating centers
  
• Remote locations

"All communications in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service must be specifically authorized by the civil defense organization for the area served."
Federal Communications Commission

• RACES plans no longer require FCC approval.
  
• FCC no longer assigns club call signs.

RACES operators are indispensable for emergency communications. Amateur radio operators (FCC-licensed) can help save lives. 

 When is RACES needed?

The RACES organization of amateur radio operators is vital during such emergencies as:

• National Disasters
  
• Tornadoes
  
• Hurricanes
  
• Earthquakes
  
• Nuclear Accidents
  
• Floods
  
• Blackouts
  
• Bomb Threats

Frequently, normal communication systems sustain damage during these types of emergencies. It is then that RACES operators are invaluable to emergency managers.

During national emergencies, RACES operators are the only amateur radio operators permitted on the air. In an emergency, RACES operators are assigned specific frequencies within authorized frequency bands as directed by emergency management officials.

FEMA's State and Local Direction and Control Program provides support to state and local governments and Emergency Alert System stations through the following elements:

• Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) Program
  
• Warning and Communications Systems (WCS) program
  
• Maintenance and Services (MS) program
  
• Broadcast Station Protection Program (BSPP)
  
• Emergency Alert System (EAS) Operational Area Planning, and
  
• Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Technical Support program

RACES in the Wiregrass

For more information on RACES in your county, contact:

Houston County, AL
Charles Finney N4RNU
COUNTY RACES OFFICER
AT THE EMA OFFICE (794-9720)

 NOTE: This page is an HTML formatted copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's pamphlet L-136/July 1983, and is provided "as is" by the Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club for informational purposes only. No claim is made as to the accuracy or validity of any of the information within.

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