Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is provided for in Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations which govern amateur radio in the United States. RACES, as it is known, provides for a standby radio service (all volunteer) communications group that aids government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During periods of activation, licensed amateurs are called upon to perform communication tasks to aid the government agencies they serve in support of civil defense and disaster response recovery.
RACES was established by the FCC in 1952 and was envisioned to be a temporary service to provide radio communication for civil defense purposes. It is administered by local, county, and state civil defense organizations and is supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the FCC.
All communications transmitted in RACES must be specifically authorized by the civil defense organization for the area served and only certain types of civil defense communications may be transmitted.
RACES in Jefferson County, NY is administered under the guidance of the Jefferson County Director of Emergency Services.
RACES was established by the FCC in 1952 and was envisioned to be a temporary service to provide radio communication for civil defense purposes. It is administered by local, county, and state civil defense organizations and is supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the FCC.
All communications transmitted in RACES must be specifically authorized by the civil defense organization for the area served and only certain types of civil defense communications may be transmitted.
RACES in Jefferson County, NY is administered under the guidance of the Jefferson County Director of Emergency Services.