RACES definition
Description and Authority
RACES is an organization of Federal Communication Commission licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for state and local governments during times of emergency. Created in 1952 primarily to serve in civil defense emergencies, RACES provides essential communications and warning links to supplement State and local government agencies during emergencies.
RACES is organized to provide emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. RACES is a special part of the amateur radio service sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and is conducted by amateur radio operators using their primary station licenses or by existing RACES stations. In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency Powers Act, amateur radio operators enrolled with their local emergency management offices would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.
During an emergency, RACES is operated under the direct control of the local emergency management office, as authorized by the Federal Communication Commission and the Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office.
RACES is authorized by Section 606 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission. A copy of part 97.407 is in the appendix.
RACES guidance is also provided by FEMA document CPG1-15 March 1991. A copy of this document is available at the FEMA web site: www.fema.gov/library/civilpg.htm
NOTE: FCC rules, Part 97, still apply to all RACES stations and RACES operators participating in RACES operations.
RACES and ARES
In general, ARES is organized to serve the public, and RACES is organized to serve the government.
It is desirable for RACES members to also be enrolled in the ARES program. The additional training received
during ARES public service events can be of great value during times of emergency.
In addition to this, there are times of emergency when ARES will be the first organization to activate for communications assistance.
As an emergency escalates, the local Emergency Manager may call for a RACES activation. At this time, with radio operators already activated,
the operation can smoothly go from an ARES operation to a RACES operation. It must be noted that when this happens,
the RACES members are now under the supervision of the County RACES Radio Officer and the County Emergency Manager,
and are no longer directly involved with the ARES operation.
At this point, operations will usually move to the EOC
if the radio operators are not already there. It is suggested that one operator on each shift remain with the ARES
operation to act as liaison between RACES and the non-RACES stations which may be involved supporting other
agencies or organizations.
Whenever possible, RACES and ARES communications should be on different net frequencies.
Cooperation between the ARES and RACES organizations is of high importance, and cannot be understated.
RACES Eligibility
Any United States citizen who possesses a valid FCC Amateur Radio Operator License, Technician Class or higher, is eligible to become a member of RACES. The services of amateurs who have a Novice Class license may be used, but this is not recommended due to the privilege limitations. All RACES operators are required to operate within the restrictions of their license class, as per FCC part 97.
RACES Membership
Membership in RACES is on a county level. Individual members will register with the RACES Radio Officer of their county.
The Radio Officer will provide a list of RACES members to the County Emergency Manager, who will approve the individual’s membership in RACES. The County Radio Officer as well as the County Emergency Management Office will maintain this list.
RACES members should be registered in one county only. If a member is registered in more than one county, and there is a need for RACES volunteers in multiple counties, it would be impossible for individual county emergency managers to know the number of volunteers available.
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