Good day.
We are well into
2007 and Baltimore City RACES needs help from the good citizens of Baltimore more than
ever. Baltimore City
RACES needs volunteers!!
What is RACES?
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a program powered by amateur radio
operators or “hams” and non-amateur personnel.
RACES provides a vital communication link to the Office of Emergency
Management, the Baltimore City Fire and Police departments, emergency shelters,
and local hospitals during times of civil emergency. Baltimore City has joined the many
jurisdictions in Maryland and throughout the United States in the development
of a RACES program, which is managed by the Baltimore City
Office of Emergency Management.
When Hurricane
Katrina struck the gulf coast of the United States amateur radio
operators were there, sending messages in and out of the affected area, when
all other modes of communication were destroyed by the storm. In
September of 2001 when the World Trade Center
towers fell, communication was brought to a standstill as the antennas and
transmitters were on top of the Twin
Towers. Amateur
Radio operators were there, sending and receiving messages to and from the New York and New
Jersey areas, and throughout the country.
Messages handled were for the American Red Cross, the police department, and
the fire department as well as messages from friends and family from all over
the United States
eager to know the welfare of their loved ones.
Baltimore City
RACES is seeking F.C.C. Amateur Radio licensed and non-licensed personnel to
share the responsibility of providing emergency backup communication to various
Baltimore City agencies. As a volunteer,
your commitment and dedication to the program is a direct benefit to the
citizens of Baltimore
during times of emergency. This
growing program requires the variety of professional skills that are found
throughout our City to assist with the development and implementation of RACES.
If you have ever
been interested in amateur radio, Baltimore
City RACES can assist you
in obtaining your F.C.C. Amateur Radio license.
With recent changes to Federal Communications Commission rules, it is
now easier than ever to obtain your license.
For additional
information visit Baltimore
City RACES on the web at http://bcraces.baltimorepolice.org or call 410-404-9145.
The next Baltimore City RACES meeting is Thursday, March15th
at 7:00pm. The location of the meeting
is 1201 East Coldspring
Lane, Baltimore, Maryland 21239. The Office of Emergency Management is located
in the basement of the firehouse.
Parking is available just west of the firehouse in the adjacent lot.
Thank you.
Baltimore City RACES
Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service
Contact
Information:
Christopher Madairy, RACES Officer, N3QXX
Baltimore City Office
of Emergency Mgmt
Baltimore City RACES
1201 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21239
Office:
410-396-6182
Cell: 410-404-9145
bcraces@baltimorecity.gov