| Town of Huntington ARES and RACES Information |
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Huntington District 2 Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service |
| Officers |
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Town of Huntington ARES Emergency Coordinator/
Town of Huntington ARES Assistant Emergency Coordinators/ |
| Emergency Frequencies |
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Local (Town of Huntington): Suffolk County: Grumman Amateur Radio Club, Suffolk County ARES/RACES net frequency: 145.330 MHz (repeater), 136.5 PL Emergency Direct Frequencies: Universal direct if repeater is not functioning: 146.52 MHz 10 Meters direct: 28.400 MHz direct. New York State RACES voice net frequency: 3993.5 KHz New York State Phone Traffic and Emergency Net frequency: 3925 KHz 40 meters direct 7.245 KHz |
| Meetings |
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ARES/RACES meetings will be held at my residence at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
2010 Schedule March 3 - Meeting April 7 - Meeting May 5 - Meeting June 2 - Meeting July 7 - Meeting August 4 - Meeting September 1 - Meeting October 2 - Simulated Emergency Test October 6 - Meeting November 3 - Meeting December 1 - Meeting Directions Driving from the west: L.I.E. east to Exit 49N or Northern State east to Exit 40 to Rte. 110 North. Follow 110 to Rte. 25A, Main Street. Make a right turn. The third traffic light will be Park Ave. Make a right turn. The Senior Citizens Center is the first driveway on the right hand side, 100 yards south of 25A. Driving from the east: L.I.E. west to exit 51. Make right turn off service road or take Northern State west to Exit 42 North, Huntington, Rte. 35 (Rte. 35 becomes Park Ave. after Jericho Turnpike). Proceed to L.I.R.R. crossing, then go three traffic lights. Just after the third light, The Senior Citizens Center is the first driveway on the left. |
| Weekly Nets |
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The Hunitington ARES/RACES net is held on Mondays at 20:30 hrs on the WR2ABA repeater 147.210 MHz +600/ PL 136.5
The Net controlers are: |
| Net Dialogs |
| Applications |
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ARES/RACES Renewal Application
FEMA Courses IS-100 and IS-700 are required to obtain an official Suffolk County RACES Card. |
| NOAA Weather Radio |
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162.400 MHz |
| RACES History |
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The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) was founded in 1952. RACES is a public service that provides communications personnel to government agencies in times of emergencies. RACES operations are created and regulated by the FCC. Administration of the service is the responsibility of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). FEMA is responsible for administrating the RACES groups because of its role in national disaster preparedness and disaster aid and recovery. Each RACES group is administrated by a local government agency responsible for disaster services. The Amateur Radio Regulations, Part 97, Subpart F, were created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to describe RACES operations in detail. Although no longer issued, special licenses were issued in the past by the FCC to government agencies for RACES operations. RACES groups across the country prepare themselves for the inevitable day when they will be called upon. When a local, state, or national government agency activates a RACES group, that RACES group will use its resources to meet whatever need that agency has. Traditional RACES operations involve emergency message handling on Amateur Radio frequencies. These operations typically involve messages between critical locations such as hospitals, emergency services, emergency shelters, and any other locations where communication is needed. These communications are handled in any mode available, with 2 meters FM being the most prevalent. Other tasks that RACES personnel are involved with may not involve Amateur Radio communications. For example, RACES communicators may become involved in public-safety or other government communications, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staffing, and emergency equipment repair. RACES groups develop and maintain their communications ability by training throughout the year with special exercises and public-service events. |
| Mission Statement |
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RACES Radio Officer and ARES Emergency Coordinator: Dr. John A. Allocca, WB2LUA The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an arm of the federal and state governments utilizing amateur radio operators as a decentralized resource in times of emergency. This organization also provides training and certifications. Often RACES members are called in from afar to aid those in a disaster area. Many RACES members responded to the call for help on 9/11 and provided communications downtown when the existing communications failed. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is an organization of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which serves local government and civilian agencies. ARES and the ARRL provide enhanced communications training and certifications. The Town of Huntington ARES/RACES mission is to develop and maintain the leadership and organizational structure necessary to provide radio communications support to emergency management agencies and other public service agencies in and around the SUFFOLK COUNTY and the New York Long Island Section. Our main response area is the Township of Huntington New York. When it is possible we will then consider providing manpower and resources to other locals if requested. This will be done only if our mission is completed and our services are not in danger of being a burden on our community. The focus of Town of Huntington ARES/RACES is and will always be Town of Huntington as "Priority Number One", the outlying townships will be covered by Town of Huntington ARES/RACES members as long as we have available manpower and all of our assignments and tasks can be completed without interruption within the Town of Huntington. Responses When conventional communications are inadequate to meet the public safety or humanitarian needs When Amateur radio resources may help facilitate response or recovery in any emergency situation When lives and property can be protected When human suffering can be relieved When amateur radio resources may help facilitate effective activities performed for the good of the general public Whenever and wherever it becomes necessary, so no community in need goes without essential communication Principles Town of Huntington ARES/RACES strives to enhance the reliability, quality, and professionalism of Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service personnel through the establishment of training and performance standards, policies, procedures, management, and supervision of amateur radio operators registered with this organization that may be activated to provide communications on behalf off the served agencies and clients requesting our assistance. Vision Town of Huntington ARES/RACES pledges a commitment to preparedness and service in protection of public health, safety and welfare by encouraging innovative leadership and individual responsibility, which enhances the reliability and excellence of amateur radio emergency communications. We motivate amateur radio operators to excel in all facets of emergency communications and recognize those who exemplify our emergency communications philosophy. Values We are responsible and accountable, We demonstrate integrity and initiative, We are truthful and respectful of those we serve, We are, above all, dependable and trustworthy, We strive to become integrated members of action teams We strive to maintain personal growth throughout all activities We are competent to perform our assigned duties and responsibilities Mission Currently, the Town of Huntington ARES/RACES has an overall team of 23 members, all trained and ready to go in a moments notice. We must use the best materials and building facility we can get and assemble the best team we can in order to attain the goals we are striving for, which is providing emergency communications in time of need and being an asset to our community. Some of the communications posts may include: Town of Huntington ARES/RACES operation center Town of Huntington EOC Senior Citizens Center as a shelter Northport High School as a shelter Huntington Hospital Qualifications in certain areas are part of the normal training cycle. They include but are not limited to FEMA/ICS Courses, ARRL Emergency Communications Courses, Radio Amateur Emergency Communications Training Course by Dr. John A. Allocca, and community based training in various other disciplines. All members will be assigned a goal that they must attain in a given period of time. All members are volunteers and they are the first and the foremost goal of any emergency unit is to gather as a unit, train as a unit and return as a unit with the same members you reported with, all in one piece. Training will consist of but not be limited to the proper operation of a communications team, with emphases of plain language communications so all involved will understand what is required or requested. Training on various types of communications equipment and the proper use thereof. As well as with other equipment that may be used in the field to accomplish our mission. This training will take place at various locations throughout Suffolk County and other locations. Training when available will also include other disciplines related to the Emergency Service. Serving during an emergency for the most part is commonplace. Everyone wants to help. In the emergency communications area that is a plus. There is more to this assignment than talking on the radio. Communicators must be able to integrate with the served agencies and understand the assignment. Members must and will be trained to mesh into the programs and procedures that are now in place and will be implemented as communications technology and must respond in a professional manor and satisfy the demands placed on the member. Served agencies must also be aware members are keeping up, but we may have limitations form time to time for reasons beyond our control. This is for the most part accomplished by hands on training and classroom education. New members will be encouraged to take an active role in the community through ARES/RACES. Prospective new members who are not yet licensed will be provided with formal training required by the FCC to obtain a license. Classes are available throughout Suffolk County and can also be given by certified instructors. This task will be ongoing with no completion date. Town of Huntington ARES/RACES Operation Center The Town of Huntington ARES/RACES operation center shall consist of a room at least 14 feet by 10 feet with emergency power, climate control, tables and chairs. It will have the following capabilities and equipment:
1. A VHF/UHF station for operating a local net within the Town of Huntington
2. A VHF/UHF station to participate in the Suffolk County net
3. A VHF/UHF station for operating a packet (digital) net
4. An HF station to provide long distance communications in voice, PSK, Winlink 2000 5. If the ARES/RACES operations center is in a remote area from the Town of Huntington EOC, an additional VHF/UHF station will be required at the Town of Huntington EOC VHF/UHF radio, Power Supply, VHF/UHF antenna, Antenna cable, Mast and brackets Definitions: Voice – Voice communications is self explanatory. Packet – Packet is a digital mode that uses a VHF/UHF radio and a computer to send and receive lists of information over short distances. Packet was the predecessor of email and the internet. PSK31 is a digital mode that uses an HF radio and computer to send and receive written information over long distances. Winlink 2000 is a digital mode that uses an HF radio to send and receive regular email messages via radio to a long distance station that is connected to the internet. Then end user does not require a radio, only an internet connection. This method is also fairly secure and the user must be registered and approved in advance to use it. |
| Links |
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Suffolk County ARES/RACES |