RACES

   The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) group of Amateur Radio Operators that is administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government. As a part of the Amateur Radio Service, it provides radio communications 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 earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, power outages, tornados, floods, victim searches, air crashes, and many others.

   Originally for wartime use, RACES has evolved over the years, as has the meaning of civil defense (which is also called civil preparedness), to encompass all types of emergencies. While operating in a RACES capacity, RACES stations and amateurs registered in the local RACES organization may not communicate with amateurs not operating in a RACES capacity. (Of course, such restrictions do not apply when such stations are operating in a non-RACES--such as ARES--amateur capacity.) Only civil-preparedness communications can be transmitted. Test and drills are permitted only for a maximum of one hour per week. All test and drill messages must be clearly so identified.

   Although RACES and ARES are separate entities, the local RACES Group and the ARRL advocates dual membership and cooperative efforts between both groups. Whenever possible, it is an advantage for an ARES group whose members are all enrolled in and certified by RACES to operate in an emergency situation.

Miller, James	KCØWAA	KEMA Certified - Emergency Management Director
Collins, Ken	NUØB	MG. Co. RACES Officer: ARRL ARECC Level I, II and III. FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400, IS-700, IS-800, + more.
Vest, Charles	W5COV	MG. Co. Asst. RACES Officer: ARRL ARECC Level I, II and III. FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400, IS-700, IS-800, + more.
Schwatken, Wilbur	KCØTLC	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-700, + more.
Vest, John	KCØWAB	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, + more.
Martin, Robert	NØRDM	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800
Vest, Charlie	KCØWYW	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-700
Howard, Ed	KB5FUP	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400, IS-700, IS-800, + more.
Vest, Larry	KCØWYZ	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-700
Hanna, David	NØTAP	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, + more.
Tuggle, James	KCØNYK	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, + more.
Hunter, Eldon	KBØRVO	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-700, IS-800
Banks, Teddy	KCØWNY	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800
Palmer, Joe	KDØBQY	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800
Barrett, Ron	KØRJB	FEMA/NIMS Course: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, + more.
Canaday, Louis	KØLC	FEMA/NIMS Course: