The RACES protocol trains Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) volunteers, who are licensed radio amateurs, to serve their respective jurisdictions during emergencies. These volunteers are certified by civil defense agencies and are authorized to transmit on amateur radio frequencies during drills, exercises, and emergencies.
The activation of RACES volunteers is done by local, county, and state jurisdictions, and they are the only amateur radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the President of the United States invokes the War Powers Act. This authorization is a critical aspect of emergency response and allows for seamless communication between various emergency agencies, even when normal communication systems are compromised.
RACES volunteers play a crucial role in emergency response and are essential for ensuring seamless communication and coordination during emergencies. These volunteers are highly trained and equipped to handle any crisis, and their expertise and dedication to emergency response is a testament to the importance of amateur radio in times of need.