Frequently Asked Questions

What is RACES? | Volunteer Orientation | Minimum Requirements | Training | Nets

What is RACES?

RACES, administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government, is part of the Amateur Radio Service that provides radio communication for civil-preparedness purposes only, during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. These emergencies are not limited to war-related activities, but can include natural disasters such as fires, floods and Tornadoes.

As defined in the rules, RACES is a radio communication service, conducted by volunteer licensed amateurs, designed to provide emergency communications to local or state civil-preparedness agencies. It is important to note that RACES operation is authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  at the request of a local, state, or federal official and this operation is strictly limited to official civil-preparedness activities or in the event of an emergency-communications situation. 

In El Paso County, RACES is authorized by:

1.) The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) under the direction of the Emergency Services Division (ESD) Commander, and the El Paso County Sheriff.
2.) FEMA as defined in FEMA Guidance CPG 1-15 sanctions this authorization, March 1991.
3.) FCC Rules and Regulations Part 97, Subpart E.

Amateurs operating in a local RACES organization must be officially enrolled in a civil preparedness group. RACES operation is conducted by amateur radio operators using their own primary station licenses and by preexisting RACES stations. Operator privileges in RACES are dependent upon, and identical to, those for the class of license held in the Amateur Radio Service.

In El Paso County, RACES is integrated into the County Emergency Plan and the Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Our services are available to any local area governmental agency that requests it, through El Paso County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center.

RACES volunteers receive training in a variety of topics, which make them ideal for service with governmental agencies. In addition to serving with the OEM, we also work closely with El Paso County Search & Rescue , El Paso County Wildland Fire Crews, Civil Air Patrol, and others.

Some of the communication equipment we deploy to the field include:

Volunteer Orientation

As a member of El Paso County RACES, you are a communications volunteer for the El Paso County Sheriff, in the Emergency Services Division (ESD,) Office of Emergency Management (OEM.) Your communications, teamwork, and technical skills are the key ingredients in providing supplemental communications resources to the OEM when needed. All RACES personnel are expected to give all RACES activities a high priority. Only your family and job should interfere with your commitment to serve.

What differentiates you as a member of El Paso County RACES is your commitment to a high level of training and discipline required by the El Paso County OEM. Your training will be ongoing in order to add to, and hone your present skills as emergency communicators.

Not only are your communications skills of prime importance, knowledge of Emergency Preparedness, the El Paso County Emergency Plan, the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS,) and the Incident Command System (ICS) is equally important. This knowledge is fundamental because you are a communicator who, when called upon to communicate in emergencies, may be communicating for any number of emergency agencies and possibly on their frequencies in addition to the amateur and/or RACES frequencies.

Our service to El Paso County is considered a privilege. Due to the potentially sensitive nature of our support for governmental agencies, you will find specific guidelines and policies in the EPCRACES Handbook to which you must conform, to protect that privilege. The EPCRACES Handbook is a repository of information that you should be familiar with as a member of El Paso County RACES.

Minimum Requirements

Regular RACES Member

Any United States citizen who possesses a valid FCC Amateur Radio is eligible to register with El Paso County RACES The services of amateurs who have a Novice Class license may be used, but this is not recommended due to the privilege limitations.

Registration Forms

RACES personnel will be required to complete registration, and identification forms. The volunteer will then be covered under the Government Immunity Act (GIA) 24-10-101. et seq. while on duty. By registering with RACES you agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth in the EPCRACES Handbook.

RACES Personnel Identification

Every EPCRACES member will be issued an identification card by the El Paso County Sheriff's Department. This identification card is the property of the El Paso County Sheriff and subject to recall at any time, for any reason, without notice.

RACES personnel will be subject to a photo, fingerprint, and a background investigation for the purpose of determining eligibility.

It is important to note; this identification card does not grant you unlimited access to emergency sites or any other rights or privileges. It only identifies you as a volunteer for EPCRACES under the terms and conditions set forth by the El Paso County Sheriff, El Paso County OEM, and EPCRACES rules, regulations, or guidelines.

ID Cards shall be worn on the outside of all clothing, above the belt, and in front of the person during all RACES meetings, events and field activations.

Training

The RACES training program is founded upon these standards and is directed toward the goal of bringing each member up to a high level of proficiency. An ongoing system of training, teaching, practice and evaluation is conducted. Each member is expected to participate in this training program regardless of ones reputation or level of skill one believes ones self to posses.

Essential Training topics include, but are not limited to the following:

Materials for each training topic will be on file at the OEM and a schedule of training dates will exist for the calendar year. Training schedules will be flexible to allow for seasonal or special guest speakers or training events.

Communication Exercises:

EPCRACES may, under authority of the FCC, conduct two exercises per year to train, evaluate, and coordinate between other agencies. RACES Personnel are expected to participate in all exercises unless prior notification is given to the RACES Officer.

Nets

EPCRACES utilizes several networks, as required, in the performance of its communications support of the El Paso County OEM.

Weekly Training Nets:

EPCRACES conducts weekly nets, on both VHF and HF frequencies for the primary purpose of allowing each member to gain valuable experience in conducting and controlling a net, and for testing and maintaining proficiency with personal station equipment. Nets are also an excellent means by which information is disseminated.

Training nets are limited to 30 minutes each, so that the weekly total time does not exceed one hour, as regulated by FCC Rules Part 97, Subpart E.

EPCRACES personnel are expected to check into at least one net per week.

Whenever possible, training nets will be conducted using a predetermined net script. The VHF Net Script differs from the HF Net Script. Both are located in the EPCRACES Operations Manual.

Net Control Stations are required to make a report of the net to the Net Coordinator. The report will consist of Date, Length of net, number of check-ins, traffic listed and the callsign of each person who checked in.

Information on emergency nets can be found in the EPCRACES Operations Manual.

Check the Event Calendar for weekly net times and dates.

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