The first line of communication when disaster strikes.
Communication when it matters most. Amateur radio volunteers backing up Sedgwick County when conventional systems are damaged or overloaded.
What R.A.C.E.S. does
Established in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.), governed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, plays a crucial role in emergency communications within the United States and its territories. R.A.C.E.S. operates under the umbrella of amateur radio services, with a primary focus on supporting emergency management agencies during crises.
As part of the Federal Communication Commission's 47 CFR 97.407 Subpart E, Emergency Management maintains a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Volunteer Team. The purpose of this disaster volunteer team is to provide a critical back-up communication tool to support our community in times of dire need or in the event of an emergency which necessitates invoking the President's War Emergency Powers Act.
Sedgwick County R.A.C.E.S. is activated in various emergencies where conventional government communication systems are either damaged or need supplementary support for Sedgwick County, Kansas. This includes natural disasters, technological catastrophes, civil unrest, nuclear/chemical events, terrorist activities, or enemy attacks.
The repeaters
In recognition of the vital role that R.A.C.E.S. plays in emergency communications, Phillips Petroleum generously provided a grant to Sedgwick County several years ago as a restricted gift for the benefit of R.A.C.E.S.. This grant enabled us to purchase the two repeaters currently in use today, the 146.940 MHz and the 444.000 MHz repeaters. These repeaters are integral to our ability to provide backup communication services during emergencies, storm spotting, and other disaster response scenarios.
We are deeply grateful for Phillips Petroleum's support, which has greatly enhanced our mission to ensure public safety and reliable communication for the amateur radio community across Sedgwick County and beyond.
Regulation and program
R.A.C.E.S.'s significance is outlined in the Amateur Radio Regulations, Part 97, Subpart F, by the FCC. Historically, the FCC granted special licenses to government agencies for R.A.C.E.S. operations, though this practice has ceased.
Additionally, Sedgwick County R.A.C.E.S. functions as a program within Sedgwick County Emergency Management, further integrating amateur radio capabilities into local disaster response and preparedness strategies.