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Frequently Asked Questions
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:
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VHF and UHF band radio for direct local or repeater and autopatch
(telephone) communication.
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High Frequency band (shortwave) Radio for interstate and transcontinental
communication.
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Portable Packet Radio for Digital (computer to computer) Communication.
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VHF Repeater for hard to reach mountain areas and deep canyons.
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Fast Scan ATV (Amateur Television) when City and County officials want to
see the damage in realtime.
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:
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ICS: The Incident Command System.
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EOC: Emergency Operation Center.
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OEM: Operations specific to this Office of Emergency Management.
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Basic First Aid and CPR.
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Family and personal preparedness for service in RACES.
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Map and compass reading.
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Weather as it pertains to personal safety and safe spotter reporting.
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Weather as it pertains to its effects on fire fighting.
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Amateur and Government Band Radio Equipment.
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Damage Assessment techniques.
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.
Check the Event Calendar for weekly net times and
dates.
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