RACES

RACES is an organization of Federal Communication Commission licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for state and local governments during times of emergency. Created in 1952 primarily to serve in civil defense emergencies, RACES provides essential communications and warning links to supplement State and local government agencies during emergencies.

RACES is organized to provide emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. RACES is a special part of the amateur radio service sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and is conducted by amateur radio operators using their primary station licenses or by existing RACES stations.

In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency Powers Act, amateur radio operators enrolled with their local emergency management offices would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.

During an emergency, RACES is operated under the direct control of the local emergency management office, as authorized by the Federal Communication Commission and the Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office.

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Related Links
Amateur Radio Emergency Service - Orange County, NY