It is not a matter of if, but when a disaster will come, and it is important to be prepared. By taking steps to gain additional training and by getting involved, citizens in Irving can not only protect themselves and their families during disaster, but also help those in their neighborhoods.
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)/Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group is composed of all volunteers. They provide communications capability for the City of Irving when requested. All of the volunteers are FCC licensed radio operators. All members belong to both RACES and ARES, which complement each other.
The majority of activations deal with a potential severe weather threat. The primary task is to identify the severe weather threat, communicate that threat and its location to our sponsoring agency, the Office of Emergency Management, and our supported agency, the National Weather Service, so a public warning can be given.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Irving RACES/ARES group, fill out the City of Irving RACES/ARES application (PDF) and email to Billy Geer.
Who can become an Amateur Radio Operator?
What do you mean by communications and net?
What is ARES and what does it do?
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsored organization.
ARES is not as constrained by its activation requirements. It can be activated for any request requiring communications support. It normally takes over if communications are still required when the RACES guidelines are no longer met.
What does RACES do?
RACES only allows emergency communications when impending or actual conditions are:
How was RACES created?
RACES was established by a US Congressional Act in 1952 to provide emergency communications only as allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations Part 97.407.
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