|
Founded in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although the exact nature of each activation will be different, the common thread is communications. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides planning guidance and technical assistance for establishing a RACES organization at the state and local government level. A comprehensive RACES manual, Guidance for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, is available on the FEMA Web site <http://www.fema.gov/library/civilpg.shtm>. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for the regulation of RACES operations. RACES is administrated by a local, county, or state civil defense agency responsible for disaster services. In south San Joaquin County this civil defense agency is the Manteca Fire Department. RACES is a function of MFD's Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), and is made up of Amateur Radio operators (Hams) and other community volunteers. ACS, in its RACES and other reserve emergency communications functions, provides a pool of licensed emergency communications personnel that can be called upon in time of need. ACS/RACES groups train for the inevitable day when they will be called upon to meet whatever communications need our community has. To join ACS please download and fill out the Adobe Acrobat form and send your completed and signed form to: Manteca Fire Department This form requires a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on your computer. A free copy of the reader is available at < http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html>. |