Introduction

This attachment to annex ii provides the guidelines by which existing communications capabilities within Broward County may be enhanced by the use of radio amateurs and their equipment during an impending or existing disaster that threatens the county as a whole, a segment of the unincorporated area, or a municipality. RACES may be activated any time of the day or any day of the year, Whenever emergency communications specialists are requested by the Emergency management Division of Broward County, Public safety Divisions or Disaster Relief Agencies. RACES does not only need a disaster response plan for the Hurricane Season (June 1, through November 30), but needs a disaster plan for a variety of natural and man made disasters. Hurricanes are low on the Disaster Probability Chart, because they are infrequent and generally provide advanced warning, thus giving plenty of lead time for all to prepare, including the evacuees. Severe weather disasters such as tornadoes, severe electrical storms, and even flooding are higher on the probability list than are hurricanes. These natural disasters cannot be predicted, may occur any time, and can range from very minor to catastrophic. The State of Florida can also experience earthquakes, (although the probability factor is extremely low, they can still occur) and all local and regional disaster plans prepare for them.

Purpose

A. This plan is intended to provide a means of coordination between radio amateurs and county governments, service and welfare agencies.

B. This plan enables agencies and organizations to include the amateur radio service in their emergency plans and programs.

C. The purpose of this document is to explain the concept of operations of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). This plan is written with the need for keeping simplicity and flexibility in mind during disaster operations. RACES, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government, is a part of the Amateur Radio Service that provides radio communications for Emergency Management purposes only, during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. As defined in the FCC Rules and Regulations Part 97, Subpart E. RACES is a communications service, conducted by volunteer Federally licensed amateurs, designed to provide emergency communications to local or state emergency management agencies. RACES operation is authorized by the FCC at the request of a county, state or federal official, and this operation is limited to official emergency management activity. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed radio amateurs who are registered to provide emergency and public service communications. Although RACES and ARES originated as separate entities, in practice, this is a single group of people striving to provide quality emergency communications for the public. A RACES/ARES Network is needed to supplement other emergency management communications systems. During natural or man made emergencies, it is essential that all channels of communications be available. Agencies To Be Served The agencies to be served by this plan include the Broward County Emergency Management Division, American Red Cross, Municipal Governments, and all other approved organizations which may require communications assistance.