Bid : $RACESBUL.276


TO:    ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:  ALL RACES OPERATORS IN CA (ALLCA: OFFICIAL)
       ALL AMATEURS U.S.         (@ USA: INFORMATION)
FROM:  CA STATE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES (W6HIR @ WA6NWE.CA)
       2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA  95832  (916)262-1600
       Landline BBS open to all: (916) 262-1657
RACESBUL.276                        DATE: May 31, 1993
SUBJECT: MGT - Radio Officer or RACES Radio Officer, which?
    One will see both titles in our discussions on communications
volunteers in government service. While it may be of little
significance in your government, here is how we define them to
those who may just be starting up a communications program.
    A RACES Radio Officer is basically as described in the FCC
Rules and Regulations: that person who directs a local
government's Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service program and is
responsible to its civil defense director.
    We utilize the title of Radio Officer, without the word
RACES, to mean one who coordinates the RACES and more. Such a
Radio Officer is concerned with all of the two-way radio systems
in a local government, whereas the scope of a RACES Radio Officer
is confined to the RACES. Thus the Radio Officer works not only
with Amateur Radio but one or more of the following: Civil Air
Patrol, Local Government, Fire, Police, Special Emergency, EMS,
MARS, Citizens Band, other FCC radio services and those of the
Federal government.
    Some governments have only one or two RACES Radio Officers who,
in turn, call upon ARES resources for support as needed.  This is
not necessarily a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, however.
    We urge that you encourage your RACES Radio Officer to become
familiar with the capabilities and shortcomings of all your local
government's telecommunications so that you may be better served
by your volunteers. There is no time to train and explain when
called out in an emergency.
                                     * * *
"The deepest need is the need to be needed." --- R.L.S.

EOM