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The duty of the amateur communicator is to accurately communicate the <br /> message provided by the served agency as written and to accurately copy <br /> the response from the addressee as sent. <br /> The ARES EC is the functional alternate for the RACES RO and vice versa; <br /> either could be called by emergency management to initially activate and <br /> coordinate volunteer emergency communications capabilities. In addition, <br /> the EC and RO may designate backups for their positions during absences. <br /> FCC Rules and Regulations apply to the operation of a radio in the amateur <br /> service and therefore apply to the RACES organization. <br /> Wartime Emergency Limitations on the use of RACES Stations - RACES <br /> members may not communicate with amateurs who are not RACES <br /> members. <br /> C. Composition <br /> 1. The primary contributor of effective emergency communications <br /> assistance for the county is the individual, FCC-licensed, trained <br /> amateur radio operator with mobile or home station radio equipment <br /> and emergency power. The reserve of amateur radio operators who <br /> volunteer to provide this service fall into two major groups operating <br /> within the county: ARES and RACES. For all practical purposes, <br /> ARES and RACES are one and the same in function and capability. <br /> The common thread is the ability to provide timely and effective <br /> emergency or disaster communications for the community; however, <br /> the method of activation is different for each group. ARES is self- <br /> activated to support planned community events, to support groups <br /> with established memorandum of understanding when requested, and <br /> to meet communications needs in situations when RACES is not <br /> activated by county/state emergency management. RACES is <br /> activated only upon request of a local or state emergency <br /> management official to provide or maintain essential communications <br /> links and county or state government essential functions during an <br /> emergency or disaster. <br /> Additional contributors for emergency communications assistance to <br /> the county lies in the resources of amateur radio operators who have <br /> volunteered and trained for SKYWARN service and with the <br /> capabilities of local REACT members. These groups may be <br /> considered viable for assisting the county in times of need and their <br /> help may be requested through ARES/RACES. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Annex VII - Page 6 <br />