The following is a list of frequently asked questions
about Oahu RACES, followed by a brief answer to each.
- What is RACES' primary mission?
- To facilitate communication (not decision-making) for
Civil Defense communication purposes.
- Who sponsors RACES?
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Civil
Defense.
- When is RACES activated?
- When Oahu Civil Defense Agency (OCDA) is activated for
emergencies such as hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, high surf,
or a local disaster.
- When there is a possibility that normal communications
may be disrupted.
- When OCDA is deactivated, Oahu RACES is also deactivated.
Futher emergency communications would be handled under ARES (Amateur
Radio Emergency Service). Membership in both organizations is
encouraged.
- How is RACES activated?
- The OCDA Administrator instructs the OCDA Communications
Officer to activate RACES. He contacts the RACES coordinator
(phone, pager, radio) who activates the phone tree to notify
key personnel. OR, the RACES Coordinator is advised by automated
paging or phone call alert system.
- Who are the Races officials?
- Oahu Races
- Russell Houlton, WH7O, Deputy Coordinator, Operations
(ph: 282-9185)
- Bart Aronoff, WH6AAA, Deputy Coordinator, Hospitals
- State RACES
- Ron Hashiro, AH6RH, Coordinator
- Robin Liu, AH6CP, Assistant
- What agencies/groups does Oahu RACES assist?
- OCDA Emergency Operating Centers (6)
- Government agencies such as Police, Fire, Board of Water
Supply, Oahu Transportation Services, hospitals, American Red
Cross, shelters, etc.
- Assistance must be prioritized as the volunteer pool is
limited.
- Assignments are made by the RACES coordinator as requested
by OCDA administration.
- RACES members may be assigned to a location or to shadow
an official.
- What should you do when RACES is activated?
- Turn on your radio and check into the net (146.88 MHz).
- Give your availability and any other requested information,
then monitor.
- Continue your own emergency preparations (family, personal,
etc.).
- If you have a preassignment, go there, or at least check
with officials there.
- What frequencies are used?
- 146.88 MHz - command/info net
- 146.98 MHz - OCDA traffic
- 146.76 MHz - North Shore
146.64 MHz - Laie
- 147.06 MHz - State Civil Defense
- RACES has agreements with several repeater owners who
provide access to their repeaters during an activation. These
repeaters are for general use until needed for an emergency.
- What about going to preassigned locations?
- Some possibilities include:
- work with District Coordinators and their teams in your
district.
- hospitals, shelters, hotels, or elsewhere.
- What about message format?
- The standard for formal messages is the ARRL radiogram.
- Agencies may have their own message forms, so you (or
an assistant) may have to recopy a message onto a form for internal
use at your agency.
- Message handling training and practice are scheduled at
intervals throughout the year.
- What equipment should you have?
- See the checklist for the well-prepared operator.
- You may be caught up in an emergency without being able
to go home to get equipment. Be as prepared as possible at all
times.
- Why should you become a RACES member rather than just
assist as an individual?
- In a large emergency, OCDA (and therefore, RACES) will
take the lead in communications to get government and essential
services functioning. Members are covered by Worker's Compensation
when deployed by RACES.
- By law, RACES stations can only communicate with other
RACES stations when the President declares a national emergency.
- How do you become involved in RACES?
- Contact Oahu Civil
Defense Office, basement of the Honolulu Municipal Building,
650 S. King St. in Honolulu to sign up. The office is open Monday
thru Friday from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm except on holidays. Or for
more information, send an address should be to Harold
Buckle <hbuckle@honolulu.gov>
- e-mail to OCDA.
- Give us a call, we want to hear from you!
Thursday, December 09, 2004
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- © Copyright 2002-2005 City and County of Honolulu,
Hawaii
