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.
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