Fire Departments use the RACES (RB304)

Contributed by: Fire Captain Willis H. Lamm, N6VZT

QUESTION: How do use Amateur Radio operators in your RACES unit?

REPLY: Amateur Radio volunteers are actively involved and are on-call as an emergency response team. They are dispatched by the fire communications center and have a Multi Agency Command Support vehicle equipped with fire, police and Amateur radios as well as several telephone systems, FAX, on-board computer with hazmat programs, copier and fieldcommand supplies.

Past responses for the Amateurs include:

• Greater alarm fires (Command support functions)
• Police SWAT responses (Command support functions)
• Search and Rescue operations (Multi agency-communications coordination, command support)
• Loma Prieta Earthquake; Oakland (Provided communications for Red Cross)
• Oakland Firestorm (One team operated a staging area in Orinda where resources from all over Northern California gathered pending assignment to the firestorm and two other significant area fires. A second team provided command support for the tactical branch operating on the ridge above the firestorm.)

The District operates a packet radio bulletin board and has packet capabilities in all fire stations. 2M and 70CM voice capabilities are provided at the headquarters station and is available at the outlying stations. The Emergency Operations Center (at City Hall) also has HF capability.

Amateurs are used in many roles which permit uniformed fire personnel to remain available for more dangerous duties.

All amateurs are welcome to participate in this forum. For more information contact Willis, N6VZT @ AA6QR.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA .