What is RACES?
RACES is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, as authorized by Part 97.407 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Its mission is to operate and maintain Amateur, Public Safety, and other communications systems, and to perform unique, accurate, and efficient communication services to assist government officials in the protection of life and property. In some areas of California, RACES organizations use the name ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service) instead of RACES.
San Diego County RACES is an organization of the San Diego Operational Area, Unified Disaster Council, County Office of Emergency Services (UDC/OES) and is administered by the Emergency Planning Detail, Emergency Services Division of the Sheriff's Department. RACES personnel are citizen volunteer employees of the County of San Diego who donate their time, personal equipment, training and capabilities for public service.
How is RACES utilized?
A "State of Emergency" does not have to exist or be declared to activate RACES. Every effort is made to use RACES resources as frequently as possible to maintain both personnel and equipment in a continuing state of readiness and proficiency. Any responsible government official may request RACES to assist in a special communication need.
The primary RACES station is located adjacent to the County EOC within the County Communications Center, Building 12, at 5555 Overland Drive in San Diego. It is from this facility that all incoming and outgoing information is processed for the county. The Secondary or Situational EOC is co-located at the OES on Ruffin Road. The RACES equipment there mirrors the primary EOC. A third County facility, the Bunker (Station E) in El Cajon is available for EOC operations should the need arise, however, no RACES radio equipment is located there at this time.
