RACES (pronounced ray-seez) is an acronym for Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service. It is a radio service created and defined
by the FCC in 47 CFR Part 97. RACES isn't a club; RACES isn't even a private
organization. A RACES unit is sponsored by and is part of a state or local
government agency, RACES members must be registered in advance with the
sponsoring agency, and when activated, RACES members are volunteer employees
of the sponsoring agency. As such, all RACES members adhere to the policies
and procedures of their unit and sponsoring agency.
RACES MISSION
The mission of any RACES group is to provide amateur
radio and other communications support to the sponsoring agency during
an emergency. While RACES members are technically operating in their role
as amateur radio operators, their jobs inevitably call for the use of non-amateur
radio and even non-radio communications systems. This responsibility typically
takes the form of amateur or other radio systems designed to replace failed
or overloaded public safety radio systems, or to add new systems.
Bucks County RACES
Bucks County RACES is sponsored by the Bucks County Office of Emergency Services.
The mission of Bucks County RACES is to provide communications support to Bucks
County and it's municipal governments during emergencies. Bucks County RACES
members can be expected to; establish amateur radio systems to replace failed
or overloaded existing systems; add new radio systems were none currently exist;
assist with an alternate means where the public can request emergency assistance;
provide support personnel to local EOC's; provide ICS communications and support
manpower during extended field
operations.
