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Sussex County DE RACES

Sussex County DE RACES. (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service). HISTORY.

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Sussex County DE RACES

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  1. Sussex County DERACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)

  2. HISTORY • The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) was established in 1952 to provide Civil Defense agencies and local governments with a codified approach to adopting the resource of Amateur Radio for use during emergencies and disasters. CPG 1-15, later modified in 1992, provides guidance and direction for establishing a RACES Program by a “government entity of competent jurisdiction”.

  3. AUTHORITY • The establishment of a RACES organization is at the direction and under the control of a local government agency responsible for civil preparedness and response. • Authority to operate in the Amateur Radio Service is in Chapter 47, part 97.407 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

  4. NIMS • RACES is applicable in Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF 2) of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) under the definition of Auxiliary Communication Service (ACS). As such this grants a great deal of flexibility to tasks assigned to the RACES Group by the Emergency Operations Director (EOD).

  5. INTRODUCTION • The Emergency Operations Center of Sussex County adopted the RACES program to provide the county authorities with direct control of the Amateur Radio resource during emergencies and disasters. The incorporation of a permanent amateur station in the new county EOC, dictated the need for direct control of the amateur radio operators that would staff the facility. (DHS requirement)

  6. MISSION • The Sussex County RACES Group is tasked with providing flexible back-up communication support during periods of unusual need, and as requested by the Sussex County EOD, or other designated county official. The RACES program is directed by the county designated RACES Radio Officer (RO), who reports to the county EOD.

  7. STATIONS KB3HEV • The primary station is adjacent to the dispatch center in the new Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). • A second station occupies a dispatch position in the EOC Mobile Command Post (MCP). • The Sussex County EOC Station Support Team provides technical support for the stations.

  8. OPERATOR STANDARDS • RACES Operators must meet designated training, participation, and acceptability standards. These operators may be assigned to the EOC, the MCP, designated as net control stations, liaison stations, or assigned to locations other than the primary stations at the direction of the EOD or designee.

  9. RACES Registration • Any amateur radio operator possessing a valid FCC license may REGISTER with the Sussex County RACES program. • REGISTRATION is the basic level of participation in any RACES program, and allows a registered amateur operator to participate in emergency operations, exercises, and training activities of the Sussex County RACES program. There are no other requirements. • Dual Registration with RACES and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is recommended by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) the parent organization of ARES.

  10. RACES Operator • A RACES Operator, as a member of the Sussex County RACES Program must meet minimum standards of training, participation, and acceptability, to be issued a county produced ID card.

  11. RACES EOC Operator • A designated RACES EOC Operator must meet specific standards of training, experience, participation and acceptability, and will be issued an EOC ID card, granting that individual access to the Emergency Operations Center.

  12. Probationary Period • An amateur radio operator meeting county acceptability requirements may be granted Operator or EOC Operator status for a Probationary Period of one year, allowing that individual the time and opportunity to meet the minimum certification requirements.

  13. RACES Radio Officer • The county RACES Radio Officer, (RO) is appointed by the County EOD to direct the RACES program. The appointed individual will be an amateur operator with relevant experience and training in emergency and disaster communications. A minimum license class of General is required.

  14. Asst. RACES Radio Officer • Assistant RACES Radio Officers (ARO) will be appointed by the RO, as necessary to support the needs of the program, with the approval of the county EOD. The RO and ARO’s are directly responsible to, and report to, the EOD or his designee.

  15. Annual Review • An annual review of each individual member’s training and participation will be used to maintain an active, proficient and current membership. Modification of member status is possible for those individuals below minimum standards. It is understood that without regular exercise of communications skills and application of knowledge required of RACES Operators, that proficiency cannot be maintained.

  16. EOC Station Capabilities • The EOC station will be equipped to provide operation on assigned High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Amateur Radio allocations. • Provision shall also be made for joint service Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Communications Service (NCS) Shared High Frequency Resources (SHARES) program operation.

  17. EOC MCP Station • The RACES position in the EOC Mobile Command Post (MCP) will be operational on assigned HF, VHF and UHF frequencies, with similar capabilities as the primary station.

  18. ACTIVATION • Support Operations are instituted by an Activation Order. The term Activateis specific to the RACES program. • The order to Activateis given by the EOD or RO to meet specific incidents. • RACES members now operate as agents of the county, and are extended certain benefits and protection as provided by county authority. • The order to Deactivate indicates the end of the authorized operation.

  19. PROGRAM BENEFITSIndividual • Recognition of skills, knowledge, and participation. • Training opportunities: classroom, “hands-on” and on-line in emergency and disaster communication operations • Access to the EOC station during “Operation Nights”. • Pride and accomplishment in fulfilling Amateur Radio Public Service activities.

  20. PROGRAM BENEFITSCounty • Control and direction of the Amateur Radio Resource to meet the needs of the county. • Availability of trained communication volunteers, familiar with county operations, for emergencies and disasters. • Volunteer talent to supplement paid staff in specific incidents and operations.

  21. The End • Thank you for your interest in the Sussex County DE, RACES program. • For more information see: WWW.SUSSEXCOUNTYRACES.COM

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