Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services - Mountain District
For Radio Amateurs interested in emergency communications, we have the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) - Mountain District which is supported by the MHRC. RACES – Mountain District is the official volunteer communications arm of Riverside County Office of Emergency Service (OES) and operates under the auspices of FEMA for disaster communications. We assist in providing radio communications for the local agencies and others during emergencies and special events. We have performed (for several years) and continue to provide both fire patrols and watches for both the US Forest Service and local Fire Officials.
Mission
The primary mission of The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) during an emergency and/or disaster is to provide communication services that include the use of portable stations, either as a backup to established communications, or as a fill-in where communications do not normally exist.
Overview
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) group of Amateur Radio Operators that is administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States government. As a part of the Amateur Radio Service, it provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only, during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. These emergencies are not limited to war-related activities, but can include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, power outages, floods, victim searches, air crashes, and many others.
Mountain District
Our district covers the San Jacinto mountain range, serving the areas of; Fern Valley, Garner Valley, Idyllwild, Mountain Center, Pine Cove and Poppet Flats.
Working Together
RACES may be activated at the request of any governmental agency in the event of an emergency or disaster, with coordination by Riverside County Office of Emergency Services (OES). An example of a governmental agency may include any City agency, County agency or Special District (e.g. Water District, School District, and Community Service Districts) within Riverside County.
RACES works with and provides, as requested, communications services for nongovernmental organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Riverside County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (RCVOAD) and REARS—Riverside Emergency Animal Rescue Service. RACES is available to be of service in various capacities in time of emergency or disaster.
RACES in Riverside County may encompass ARES members (American Radio Relay League Amateur Radio Emergency Services). Riverside County RACES is the communications arm of the Riverside County Fire Department/CDF, Office of Emergency Services and the Emergency Command Center.
Are you interested?
To join RACES and to be able to participate in RACES and other government emergency communications activities, please contact:
Mountain District Officer