The primary responsibility of the Fresno County RACES organization is to provide emergency communications in the event of a disaster, or to augment local governments in Fresno County with public communications in the event of an emergency.

The secondary responsibility of the Fresno County RACES organization is to assist the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services in any other way that would help with the efficient operation of that agency.

Fresno County RACES will also provide mutual aid support with the California State RACES organization when the need arises and the personnel are available.

This plan is provided as a written guide which contains information to facilitate operations in an emergency. It is intended to be a working operational document, updated as needed, and of value to the RACES volunteer.
 

Membership in RACES is open to individuals 18 years of age or older who hold a valid Amateur Radio License. To register, an application must be filed with the Fresno County Health Service located on the Fulton Mall . You will be asked to sign a release for a background investigation to be done by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

After the background investigation is complete, you will be issued a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) identification card which must by worn at all drills and disasters. If you fail to complete the form for background investigation, or if you are a convicted felon, you will not be issued a DSW ID card. You will still be allowed to participate in RACES activities; however, you will not be allowed access to restricted areas.

RACES members are covered by workman's compensation during drills and emergencies.

All members will be required to receive training for net operations and use of tactical call signs.

RACES has a weekly net, held on Mondays at 8:00pm on 147.15 Mhz (N6HEW) repeater. These meetings will keep you informed of RACES activities, including training and drill schedules.

Members are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings; the time and place are announced on the weekly nets.
 

Training functions shall include:

A. Orientation course.

B. Classes that cover all phases of emergency communications and RACES operations.

C. Simulated emergency drills.

D. Participation in local civic and governmental activities that improve skills in communications, organization, discipline, and judgment.

E. Selected Red Cross training.

F. Training with the Fresno County Communications Center in preparation to operate the radios in the Fresno County Emergency Communications Van.

G. Annual refresher courses.

H. Any State required courses.

A) ACTIVE

The active member participates in the weekly nets, monthly meetings and the majority of the training exercises and drills.

The active members will be the first to be called up in an actual disaster.

B) SEMI-ACTIVE

The semi-active member occasionally checks into the weekly net, occasionally attends the monthly meetings, and occasionally participates in drills and exercises.

The semi-active member will be placed in standby status when the active members are called up.

The semi-active member will receive an initial orientation-training class. They should also receive an annual refresher class.
 
 

C) NON-ACTIVE

The non-active member rarely or never checks into the weekly nets, rarely or never attends the monthly meetings and never participates in drills or exercises.

The non-active member will only be placed in standby status in the event of a manpower shortage.

The non-active member will receive an abbreviated training session before being placed into service.

The non-active member will receive an initial orientation-training class.

Only active and semi-active members will be called at the weekly net.

All members will receive the RACES newsletter.

I. Management.

II. Operations.

III. Planning and intelligence.

IV. Logistics.

V. Finance.

i. RACES OFFICER

* Reports directly to the Fresno County EOC Coordinator.

A. Activates and de-activates all RACES activities.

B. Manages all emergency and drill operations.

C. Tactical designation will be assigned at each operation .

D. Monitors all emergency and drill transmissions.

E. Works closely with field supervisor(s).

F. Coordinates operations with County and other OES officers.

G. Performs a critique of all operations.
 
 
 

ii. ASSISTANT R.A.C.E.S OFFICER

* Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Acts for the RACES Officer in his absence.

B. Works closely with the RACES Officer in all facets of organizational operations.

C. Works closely with the Technical Advisor managing equipment and inventory.

D. Works closely with Supervisor and Operations Officer during all operations.
 
 
 

iii. SUPERVISOR/TRAINING OFFICER

* Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Plans and schedules personnel for coverage of all tactical positions.

B. Responsible for Net Operations and mutual aid personnel.

C. Tactical designation will be assigned at each operation .

D. Acts for RACES Officer if necessary.

E. Plan for housing of non-resident Ham volunteers.

F. Insure that on-duty personnel get fed.

G. Works closely with the Assistant RACES Officer and the Operations Officer
 
 

iv. OPERATIONS OFFICER

* Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Responsible for all field operations.

B. Responsible for oversight of radio ready facilities.

C. Works closely with Assistant RACES Officer and Supervisor during all operations.
 
 

A. Tactical designation is "RACES Net Control".

B. Priority will always be given to RACES Officer and supervisor(s).

C. All communications will be directed to Net Control.

D. All non-emergency communications should be routed to resource net.

E. Do not close net without approval of the RACES Officer.
 
 
 
 

vi. FIELD RADIO OPERATOR'S INSTRUCTIONS

* Reports directly to the Operations Officer and RACES Officer.

A. Tactical designation will be assigned by the RACES Officer or supervisor.

B. All communications will be directed to RACES net control.

C. Responsible for loaned or agency owned equipment.

E. Maintain communications with site officials.

Activation will be made by Fresno County OES to the RACES Officer. Only the RACES Officer can activate RACES.

1. Members designated as call-up personnel will be activated via pagers, phone or radio.

2. Call-up will be made according to active status.

3. An emergency net and a resource net will be established according to the RACES Command System.

4. Check-in will be on the resource net or another net, as directed.

5. Staging area may be designated as a central point to disperse personnel.

6. See frequency listing for designated net frequencies and alternate frequencies.

De-activation will be made by Fresno County OES to the RACES Officer. Only the RACES Officer can de-activate RACES.

The following is a listing of the Officers and personnel responsibilities.
 
 

Reports directly to the Fresno County EOC Coordinator.

A. Activates and de-activates all RACES activities.

1. Establish emergency net.

2. Establish resource net.

B. Manages all emergency and drill operation.

C. Tactical designation will be assigned at each operation (See Note).

D. Monitors all emergency and drill transmissions.

E. Works closely with field supervisor(s).

F. Coordinates operations with County and other OES officers.

G. Should not act as emergency net control.

H. Briefs relief officer.

I. Assign relief RACES officer and supervisor(s).

J. Assign necessary number of pre-arranged nets and frequencies.

1. Authorizes closing of all nets..

K. Coordinates with the following:

1. Government agencies.

2. Amateur E.C.s from other counties.

3. State RACES.

L. Performs a critique of all operations.

Note: When using tactical designation, you should use your call sign at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes during a communication.
 
 

Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Acts for the RACES Officer in his absence.

B. Works closely with the RACES Officer in all facets of organizational operations.

C. Works closely with the Technical Advisor managing equipment and inventory.

D. Works closely with Supervisor and Operations Officer during all operations.
 
 

Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Plans and schedules personnel for coverage of all tactical positions.

1. Assigns tactical designations to field positions.

2. Responsible for logs.

3. Route H&W traffic to appropriate frequencies.

4. Responsible for financial costing of all operations.

5. Works closely with Assistant RACES Office and Operations Officer during all operations.

B. Responsible for Net Operations and Personnel.

C. Tactical designation will be assigned at each operation (See Note).

1. Authorized to operate on all nets.

D. Acts for RACES Officer if necessary.

E. Keeps a list of all volunteers for possible use in RACES plan.

F. Maximize use of non-mobile Hams.

G. Responsible for mutual aid volunteers.

H. Plan for housing of non-resident Ham volunteers.

I. Should not act as emergency net control.

J. Briefs relief Officer.

K. Insure that on-duty personnel get fed.

Note: When using tactical designation, you should use your call sign at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes during a communication.
 
 

Reports directly to the RACES Officer.

A. Responsible for all field operations.

B. Responsible for oversight of radio ready facilities.

C. Works closely with Assistant RACES Officer and Supervisor during all operations.
 
 

Reports directly to the Supervisor/Training Officer and RACES Officer.

A. Tactical designation is "RACES Net Control". See Note.

B. Priority will always be given to RACES Officer and supervisor(s).

C. All communications will be directed to Net Control.

D. All non-emergency communications should be routed to resource net.

1. Assignments will be made on the resource net.

2. H&W traffic will be routed to the resource net.

E. Use standardized forms for directing and logging traffic.

F. Be precise and use standard phonetics when necessary.

G. When releasing information regarding an emergency, release only facts and not hearsay.

H. Brief relief operator.

I. Do not close net without approval of the RACES Officer.

J. See "OTHER OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS".

Note: When using tactical designation, you should use your call sign at the end of the communication, and every 10 minutes during a communication.
 
 

Reports directly to the Operations Officer and RACES Officer.

A. Tactical designation will be assigned by the RACES Officer or supervisor. See Note.

B. All communications will be directed to RACES net control.

C. Use pre-printed message forms and logs.

D. Speak slowly, be concise and precise. Use pro-words and phonetics when necessary.

E. Responsible for loaned or agency owned equipment.

F. Maintain communications with site officials.

G. Brief relief operator.

H. Notify net control if you are going to be away from your station.

I. Other emergency personnel may speak over your radio.

Note: When using tactical designation, you should use your call sign at the end of the communication, and every 10 minutes during a communication.

Net Control

A directed net is essential when running an emergency net. All traffic must be passed through net control.

Net Operation

When reporting for duty to net control or a field position, arrive 10 minutes early to receive your briefing and to facilitate a smooth transition.

Be sure to log-in and log-out on the log sheet.

Use the pre-printed message forms designed for Fresno County RACES.

When closing down a field position or net control, always get permission from the RACES officer.

If you are going to be away from your station for a few minutes, notify net control or field operators (net control only).

Keep transmissions as short and concise as possible. Acknowledge when your tactical position is called, even if you can't take any traffic at the time.

When it is necessary to use phonetics, use the standard ARRL phonetics.

Wait a fraction of a second after pressing the mike button to speak, in order to avoid losing part of your transmission.

Don't talk louder in noisy environments; it will generally make your signal less understandable. You may have to shield your mike, move your position, or just wait until the noise is reduced.

Headphones or earphones will help in areas of distraction.

Do not use vox operation in a tactical operation; it will generally cause more problems than the help it provides.

Let third parties speak over your radios. This is often better and faster. Make sure that you are the control operator, and that you identify at the end of the transmission.
 
 

A. Technical

1. Safety

a. Observe all electrical safely rules

b. Physical safety

1. Special clothing may be required

2. Hard hat may be required

3. Observe all vehicle code regulations

4.

5.

2. Family

a. Always take care of your family first

b. Don't feel obligated if unsure of family situation

 3. Antennas

a. Operation

1. Find out what works best for your location

2. Be flexible

4. Power supplies 12 to 24 hour capability

a. Battery packs

b. Gell cells

c. Solar

d. Generator

5. Back-up equipment

a. Be prepared for any type of equipment failure

b. Carry a small tool kit

1. Screw driver, pliers, knife, electrical tape

6. Trouble areas

a. Connections don't connect

1. Check to see if an adapter is needed

b. No power

1. check to see if plug is fully in the socket

c. No transmission

1. Check the frequency that you are on; check power and ant connectors

d. Don't receive

1. Check the frequency that you are on; check power and ant connectors

B. Operation -- Frequency Listing

1. RACES frequencies:

a. 147.15 PL:141.3 Net A: N6HEW Repeater - RACES

b. 146.94 Net B: Resource net - FARC Repeater

c. 146.79 PL 141.3 Net C: 2nd Resource net

d. 145.23 Net D: Back-up

e. Net E:

f. Net F:

g. Net G:

2. Repeater frequency listing:

a. 146.82

b. 146.85

c. 146.88

d. 147.15

e. 147.18

f. 147.33

3. Simplex frequencies

a. 146.52

b. 146.55

c.

4. Other open frequencies

a. 223.720

b. 224.940 WB6MCG

c. 223.940 W6TO

d. 444.200 W6TO

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

1. Check list / items to bring:

a. RACES I.D. badge, magnetic signs, operation handbook

b. Radios

1. mobile

2. portable

3. HT

4. packet

A. Computer and connections

B. TNC

C. Printer

c. Antennas

1. Duckies / Pull-ups

2. 1/4 wave

3. 1/2 wave

4. 5/8 wave

5. J-Pole

6. Coax

7. Connections and adapters

d. Power supplies 12 to 24 hour capability

1. Battery packs -- Nicad and/or Alkaline

2. Gell cells

3. Marine/deep cycle

4. Cigarette lighter adapter

5. 7/10 amp power supply

6. Connections and adapters

7. Generator

8. Solar

e. Programmable scanner and frequency listings

f. AM/FM radio

g. Non-perishable food and snacks

i. Water

j. Sleeping bag

k. Thomas guide map of Fresno County

l. Location map of County and State RACES sites

m. Flashlight

n. Earphone-headphone

o. Small tool kit

p. Extension cords

q. Appropriate clothing

r. First-aid kit

s. Volt/Ohm meter

t. Toilet paper

A. Annual training and drill plan.

1. Conduct refresher classes that cover all phases of emergency communications and RACES operations.

2. Conduct training classes mandated by the State of California.

3. Plan at least one drill a year.

4. Plan participation in city wide drills.

5. Plan participation in State RACES drills

 B. Emergency activation plan.

1. After receiving initial request, initiate Stage 1 of the RACES Command System.

2. On a regular basis assess the needs of the requesting agency to determine if another stage of the RACES Command System needs to be implemented.

3. After deactivation, prepare a critique of the operation.
 
 

Upon activation for an emergency, the following command system will be implemented:

STAGE 1

RACES Officer, Emergency Net Control, 1-10 Operators, 1 Supervisor, less than 24 hours.

STAGE 2

RACES Officer, Emergency Net Control, Resource Net Control, 1-10 Operators, 1 Supervisor, greater than 24 hours but less than 48 hours. Requires relief officers and operators.

STAGE 3

RACES Officer, Emergency Net Control, 10-20 Operators, 1 Supervisor, less than 24 hours.

STAGE 4

RACES Officer, Emergency Net Control, Resource Net Control, 10-20 Operators, 1 Supervisor, greater than 24 hours but less than 48 hours. Requires relief officers and operators

STAGE 5

STAGES 1,2,3 or 4 that are greater than 48 hours.

Rotation of all positions, possible mutual aid request.
 
 

1. Request for mutual aid from another agency.

All requests for mutual aid assistance will be made to the RACES Officer.

The request can be made verbally, but must be followed by a written request.

The RACES Officer will evaluate the request based on several factors.

a. If Fresno County RACES has been activated, it will be determined if any personnel are available, if so they will be asked if they wish to be sent on the mutual request. If no personnel are available, the request will be denied.

b. If Fresno County RACES has not been activated, available personnel will be asked if they wish to be sent on the mutual aid request.

c. If personnel have been sent on mutual aid and during that period of time they are needed by Fresno County RACES, the RACES Officer will ask that the request be terminated as soon as possible.

Mutual aid is strictly voluntary, you will not be required to be sent on a mutual aid request. If you participate in mutual aid, you will not be accountable to Fresno County RACES, however you will be accountable to the agency that has requested mutual aid.

2. Request for mutual aid.

If, after consideration of the RACES Command System, additional operators are needed, the RACES Officer will request mutual aid assistance from other RACES organizations.

If other RACES personnel accept the request, they will be instructed to report to the supervisor for orientation to Fresno County's operational plan and for their assignment.

The supervisor will maintain a log of all personnel used in mutual aid

Upon activation of RACES the finance function will be implemented.

The Supervisor/Training Officer will keep a log of all personnel that participated in a disaster/emergency along with the following statistics:

Time spent by personnel.

Miles driven by personnel. Each operator is responsible for keeping a mileage log.

Any related costs incurred by all personnel. Each operator is responsible for keeping the receipts for their expenses.

The above information will be provided to the Fresno County OES.

Costs incurred by volunteers are not usually reimbursed, however the statistical information is used by Fresno County OES to determine the full impact of the disaster/emergency.

The statistical information will also be used by Fresno County RACES to further facilitate future operations.