What is
RACES?
RACES, pronounced RAY-sees, stands for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. RACES is an organization of amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for State and local governments in 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 assets during emergencies.
RACES is a special part of the amateur operation sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). RACES provides emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. RACES is conducted by amateurs using their primary station licenses or by existing RACES stations. In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency powers, amateurs officially enrolled in the local civil preparedness group would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.
RACES, pronounced RAY-sees, stands for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. RACES is an organization of amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for State and local governments in 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 assets during emergencies.
RACES is a special part of the amateur operation sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). RACES provides emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. RACES is conducted by amateurs using their primary station licenses or by existing RACES stations. In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency powers, amateurs officially enrolled in the local civil preparedness group would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.
Huntington Beach RACES
Huntington Beach RACES personnel are public safety volunteers with valid FCC Amateur Radio licenses who have been trained to assist the City of Huntington Beach during times of emergency and disaster, or for routine events and activities. HB RACES is not an Amateur Radio club. It is a volunteer team within a government agency, the Office of Emergency Services. HB RACES personnel are certified by the State of California as Disaster Service Workers and are trained and certified to provide public safety communications support.
The City of Huntington Beach RACES organization is administered by Huntington Beach Fire Department Emergency Services Office. There are 18 individual city RACES groups within Orange County and OC RACES operated under their respective City & County emergency management departments. Using the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) the CA Office of Emergency Service (CAOES) adds additional support during wide scale disasters. HB RACES volunteers are provided OES Workers Comprehensive Insurance during a disaster or during approved training. See HB_RACES_capabilites.pdf in the files section of our web site for more details on who we are and what we do.
Weekly Nets
Members and guests are encouraged to check into our weekly RACES net for important RACES news and to perform weekly equipment checks. Nets are held on the KH6FL repeater at 7:15 pm each Monday. The repeater frequency is 145.140 -600 P/L 127.3 hz. Huntington Beach CERT also has a net on the KH6FL repeater each Wednesday. RACES members are invited to checkin.
Join Us
You can join our team if you:
- Are a licensed Amateur Radio operator
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Attend meetings regularly
- Check in to weekly radio nets
- Are available for callouts and special duties
- Own a portable 2-meter amateur radio
- Pass a background check conducted by the Huntington Beach Police Department
- Desire to provide a public service
- Live or work in Huntington Beach
If you are interested in joining Huntington Beach RACES please go the files section and download our brochure and a membership application. You may also e-mail to info@hbraces.org or call 714-536-5980 for more information.