Background
In the mid-1980's the
California Legislature determined that the State and County preparedness
and emergency management response was not adequately considering
the potential for failure of conventional communication needs, including
established fire, law enforcement, and other government radio systems.
The Legislature specifically indicated that the vast resource of
the FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operators should be integrated into
governmental activities so that these volunteers could aid and assist
their communities in time of need.
There exists in the FCC regulations
the authority for a service called the RACES, Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service; and that program became the format on which
to develop local, county and state utilization of an under realized
resource.
Operational
Area Assignment
San Joaquin Operational Area has several RACES organizations; City of Manteca,
City of Stockton, San Joaquin County. Under the guidance of the agency RACES
Radio Officer, RACES operators to pre-selected locations:
- Hospital emergency communication
rooms
- Delta Blood Bank
- Cities & the Operational Area
Emergency Operations Centers (EOC)
- Incident Command Posts (ICP) where
field located response agencies manage the emergency
If operators are available, then other
locations may be staffed. RACES normally does not staff evacuation
shelters as this is not a government responsibility. The American
Red Cross works with other amateur radio groups to staff the
shelters. If requested, the RACES Radio Officer may assign a
RACES member if deemed necessary.
. . . Back to top |
