TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
GOVERNORS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
STATE RACES APPLICATION
Attach a current copy of your amateur radio license and forward the completed application to your RACES District Radio Officer, or Regional Liaison Officer for the state Division of Emergency Management.
Please check one: New Application, Renewal, Update, or Other
(If other, please explain)
________________________________________________________________Name:____________________________ Date of Birth:______________ DL #:____________________
Address:______________________ City:__________________ County:______________ Zip:_______
Phone - Home:(____)________________Work(____)________________Cell(____)_________________
Email Address___________________________________ Pager (____)__________________________
Retired?______ Employer:__________________________ Position:____________________________
Employer's Address__________________________ City:___________________ Zip: ______________
Call sign:_________________ License Class:_________________ Expires: ______________________
Other Amateur Radio Organizations presently active in: ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
List fixed and mobile equipment [be sure to include bands, mode (voice, CW, or data), antennas, and emergency power capability] (Use back if needed): __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I hereby apply for certification with the Texas State RACES program. If accepted into the program, I will serve to the best of my ability as requested by duly constituted authority and abide by the State RACES Plan and SOP. I understand the minimum participation requirement. I give my approval that information provided on this application may be made public unless I have indicated otherwise by marking with an asterisk (*). I certify that: (1) I possess a current and valid Amateur Radio License, Technician Class or higher, which has never been suspended or revoked; (2) I have never been denied membership in, nor had membership revoked, in another amateur emergency communications program; (3) I have never been convicted of a felony; (4) I am a citizen of the United States; (5) I am physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position applied for. DPS Human Resources has my permission to perform a background check to verify this information.
Signature of Applicant: _______________________________________ Date: ___________________
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County Liaison Recommendation: _____________ (Approve or Disapprove) CLO Name: _____________________
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(To be completed by the RACES DRO):
Recommended to RACES position (Full Unit # & Alt. Letter): _________________________
Title (Include County Name If Co. Liaison): _______________________________________________
Recommended By DRO: __________________ Title: District 81 DRO Full Unit #: 81 Date: _______
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(For State Official Use Only) Received________________ ______ To Personnel__________________ _____
Approved_______________ ______ Entered_______________________ _____
Card Issued_____________ ______ New Expiration_________________ _____
DIRECTIONS FOR NEW RACES APPLICANTS
Read all sections of the RACES Application, complete the blanks and sign the application certifying that the information is agreed to and understood.
Attached a copy of your current and up-to-date amateur radio license that indicates your permanent residency address in either Willacy, Cameron or Hidalgo County (RACES District 81). Your address should match the address on your FCC license. If an applicant is not a legal resident within District 81, the applicant should contact the District Radio Officer of the area in which he or she is a legal resident and resides for at least seven months of each year to apply for RACES membership in that District. Due to the nature of the activation of the Texas State RACES program under the State FEMA Office in emergencies, RACES members must meet the residency requirement in order to increase the possibility of their being able to be present and assist before, during and after an emergency during which RACES has been activated. The Residency requirement is also necessary because District 81 Officers cannot made membership recommendations for those who are not legal residents in District 81.
Send your completed RACES Application with the copy of your license to the RACES County Liaison Officer in the county in which you live. The following are the RACES County Liaison Officers:
Hidalgo County RACES Officer
Toby Driscoll, N5SIM
7918 Rattler Lane
Mission, Texas 78573-0533
Cameron County RACES Officer
Greg Sargent, KA0ARS
2213 N. Whitehouse Circle
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Willacy County RACES Officer
Randy Ashley, N5YK
118 W. Tulip Avenue
McAllen, Texas 78504
..
There are often seasonal residents in RACES District 81 who do not qualify for RACES membership in District 81, however, that does not prevent these operators from assisting in emergencies as approved and directed by the appropriate RACES Count Liaison. If you fall into this category and wish to be of assistance in an emergency when you are physically in District 81, please contact your RACES County Liaison Officer for more information on how you may be of assistance as an operator as a non-RACES member.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
As a supplement to local training, or as an alternative where none exists, online training programs may also be used to help prepare the R.A.C.E.S. volunteer for participation during disasters.
Training, Certification and Continuing Education Courses
These courses are offered on the Internet through the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC). The first two courses are designed for members at large; the third level is designed to bridge the gap between basic participation and leadership. A fee is assessed for each course; there are programs under which you can take the course for reimbursement upon successful completion.
Level I Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Level II Intermediate Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Level II Advanced Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
You can also order the study manuals for each Certification Level from ARRL for independent home study. Examinations for all Levels are conducted in Harlingen once each month at the same times as FCC License testing sessions. For more information, visit http://www.arrl.org/cce/
FEMA Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers numerous online courses regarding Emergency Management topics. These do not specifically address Amateur Radio communications techniques, but some of these courses provide a great introduction to emergency preparedness for the general public, and others may be useful for those in leadership positions (such as Emergency Coordinators). Courses are offered primarily as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files, and final exams can be taken online. Certificates are sent to those who complete a final exam with a score of 75% or greater. For more information, contact your RACES County Liaison.
IS-2 Emergency Preparedness, USA
IS-5 Hazardous Materials: A Citizen's Orientation
IS-55 Household Hazardous Materials
IS-195 Basic Incident Command System
IS-240 Leadership & Influence
IS-242 Effective Communication
IS-244 Developing and Managing Volunteers