RACES,
sponsored by City of San Jose's Office
of Emergency Services, and FEMA,
provides additional communications channels to the City organization
in times of declared emergency. Communications support for public services
events of a non-emergency nature are also provided by our amateur radio
operators.
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications
group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During
periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon
to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although
the exact nature of each activation will be different, the common thread
is communications.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides planning
guidance and technical assistance for establishing a RACES organization
at the state and local government level.
