ARES verses RACES

[k0cmh]

I was posting on another thread but decided this would pull it to far off the original subject, so a new thread.

I strongly support and participate in ARES. But I was saying in the other thread that I do not care for the current structure ARRL has going. Got some responses back about how ARES died in their areas and is replaced by RACES.

I still support and participate in ARES, and not RACES, for this reason. When RACES is activated, they can only communicate with other RACES stations, and only on specified RACES frequencies.

ARES can communicate with anyone (within third party traffic restrictions) on any frequency they hold a license for. This provides a much greater flexability.

Unfortunately, in my area, the county OEC currently only recognizes RACES as their Ham staffed emergency communications groups. BUT, they give absolutely no emcomm training to their members. They require no emcomm training. If a person attends the local weather spotter training sessions, and holds a Ham license, they are automatically in RACES. That is it. No further training, no other credentials (such as ICS, NIMMS, etc.).

Although I am a trained SkyWarn member (which also makes me a RACES member), all my emcomm energy and time goes into the local ARES group.

When stuff and fan meet, it will be the ARES groups that can acutally function in my area.

So, I am interested in the situation in other folks areas.

[kl7aj]

I used to be a member of RACES as well as ARES (as were many of us here at one time) The RACES restrictions you mentioned were the main reason RACES (at least in Alaska) has pretty much disappeared, while ARES is very much alive and kicking. I think more hams will have an easier time participating in ARES, so I'd concentrate on that. RACES was (and probably still is) a great idea, but I think practicalities are going to make it less so with time.

IMHO

eric

[KB3LIX]

From what I have heard, there are quite a few changes that has been or will be implimented in the RACES program in the coming months. As explained to me, the changes are due to regulations that are being crafted by Homeland Security.
One of the changes that I have heard, is that ALL RACES members will have to have a background check. I do not know how extensive it will be, but apparently that is new. Membership in RACES will no longer be 'automatic'.

The RACES group in my county have been holding a series of meetings to begin the re-organization process. There have only been 2 to date, but more are scheduled in the near future.

[W5HTW]

I keep reading that no new RACES licenses are being issued.

Ed

[ne3r]

In my county, it is essentally one group - there is a monthly state wide RACES drill, and weekly ARES Nets. Basically, if it invovles the EOC, it is RACES, everything else is pretty much ARES.

73
Joe
N3PAQ

[WA3KYY]

The RACES rules have changed and from a practical standpoint there is little to distinguish between RACES and ARES operationally. RACES licenses are no longer being issued but are also no longer required. Because RACES is recognized in Part 97 as a special subset of amateurs specifically authorized to communicate with government agencies, many Emergency Management Agencies from the city level up to the state utilize the RACES organization in lieu of ARES.

In my county you have to apply, undergo a local background check, be issued a County ID and take a prescribed number of traning sessions to join. To maintain your accreditation, you must take part in a minimum number of communications exercises annually.

Around here, ARES supports non-governmental agencies such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, local hospitals and does public service events such as road races, Walk-A-Thons, etc. If the County EMA activiates the EOC for an emergency then RACES is activated. RACES traffic is handled on RACES nets while ARES traffic is handled on ARES nets. It gets interesting since the same 2m and 440 repeaters are used by both organizations with a lot of dual membership.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[WA2ZDY]

In my county I am of the understanding that an application to either results in membership in both. That's what happened to me anyway.

As far as I know though there is no required training. And yes, I had a background check done when I applied.

[ac3p]

As I said on the other thread, in my county the local gov't. broke ties with ARES and took steps to beef up the RACES program. As a result many of the old time ARES/RACES folks quit. Some of us have stayed on board.

A mass mailing was sent out to all recently licensed or renewed amateurs in the county looking for volunteers. A larger than expected response came back. #Now the county has set up a new net protocol and message format that is compatible with all jurisdictions in the state.

On the ARES side, there isn't much to do. Red Cross pulled out of running shelters. The monthly ARES net stopped meeting. The EC is too busy with job and family to play a role.

Some of us in the RACES program held dual membership in ARES but we are not sure if that is the case now since we have not received renewal cards.

It seems the cause of the change was, indeed, Federal funding for Homeland Security and the feeling by the local powers that ARES belonged to a private organization. The state and local gov't wanted strict control of ECOMMS by amateur radio.

I think the formal ARES structure as set up by ARRL seems almost quasi-governmental and that may play into the perception of the local gov't entities.

The important thing is that whether ECOMMS are done as RACES or ARES, that a system is in place when disaster strikes.

[al7n]

Not only must some kind of "system" be in place, the folks that work within it must be familiar with the kind of "traffic" that is to be handled, and have some recent "practice" in
actually working together within the group and with other groups and be capable of actually "doing" it effectively.

There ain't no substitute for recent "experience".

Anybody says otherwise is just blowing BS
in the wind.....

[KI6ADA]

My RACES group just informed us that we need to complete the on-line ICS Training. FEMA is requiring all civil volunteers and civil employees complete this training. I will also be attending a required workshop seminar conducted in my County offices. I am new to the system and hopefully this will be more structured. The last emergency incident in our county was not supported because of lack of training and commitment. Well,anyway we can only get better. We cannot let the public question the importance of volunteer emergency communications. Have a great day and if you have the time and skills volunteer for your county. 73, KI6ADA http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif