The Cal OES Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is a state-sponsored program that recruits, trains, and integrates unpaid volunteer communication professionals to support public safety networks during major emergencies and disasters across California. 

Managed under the Cal OES Tactical Communications Division, it functions as the official state-level Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) unit. 

Key Functions & Purpose

• System Redundancy: If commercial infrastructure, cell towers, fiber networks, or standard police/fire radio systems overload or fail during a disaster (like an earthquake or wildfire), ACS steps in to bridge the gap. 

• Operational Capabilities: Volunteers provide point-to-point voice, digital data transmissions, satellite communications, and localized situational awareness.

• Agency Staffing: Members deploy to staff state and local Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), operate mobile Tactical Communications (TACCOM) assets, and provide field-level communication support. 

How ACS Differs From Standard Ham Radio Units

Unlike localized amateur radio clubs or civilian groups like the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), ACS is an integrated arm of the government. 

• Disaster Service Workers: Upon joining, ACS volunteers are legally credentialed as registered Disaster Service Worker Volunteers (DSWV) under California law, giving them explicit liability protections while deployed. 

• Amateur License Not Mandatory: While most members are FCC-licensed "ham" radio operators, an amateur radio license is not strictly required. The program includes staff categories for unlicensed civilians to assist with management, logistics, administrative duties, or operating commercial Part 90 public safety frequencies. 

• Interoperability Partner: State ACS works in direct collaboration with other emergency systems, including federal programs like MARS and SHARES, county RACES networks, and NGOs like the American Red Cross

Finding your county's Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) or RACES unit depends on how your local government structures its disaster response. While Cal OES manages the program at the state level, field deployments are almost always handled directly by individual county operational areas.

How to Locate Your County's ACS Program

Because California's 58 counties have varying emergency structures, local ACS units generally report to one of three places. You can locate your specific county's team using the following methods:

• The County OES Webpage: Look up your local county government website and navigate to the Office of Emergency Services (OES), Emergency Management Department (EMD), or the Sheriff's Department Emergency Operations Division. Local teams are frequently indexed under titles like "[County Name] OES Communications Reserve" or "[County Name] RACES".

• Civilian ARES Co-Sponsorship: In many smaller California counties, the state-integrated ACS/RACES program coordinates its roster directly with the civilian ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Checking your local county ARRL amateur radio club site will often provide the exact point of contact for the county's government-sanctioned ACS unit.

• Direct State Inquiries: If your county's website doesn't list an active emergency communications group, you can contact the Cal OES Tactical Communications Division directly to ask for the current regional or county coordinator's contact info.

Training and Badging Requirements

Once you establish contact with your local coordinator, you must complete specific background checks and training modules to receive an active Disaster Service Worker (DSW) emergency badge:

• Disaster Service Worker (DSW) Registration: You must complete a legal oath of allegiance under California Government Code Section 3100-3109. This registers you officially as a DSW volunteer, providing you with state worker's compensation and liability protections during state-sanctioned training exercises or active wildfire/earthquake deployments.

• Live Scan Fingerprinting: Because ACS volunteers have physical or digital access to county Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), police dispatch rooms, and mobile command vehicles, you must pass a DOJ/FBI criminal background check via Live Scan.

• The Big Four FEMA Courses: In addition to the introductory IS-100 and IS-200 courses required by MARS, Cal OES ACS personnel are also mandated by the state to complete:

  • IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

  • IS-800: An Introduction to the National Response Framework

• Standardized Operating Guidelines: Members must familiarize themselves with the state's public safety communication guidelines, typically outlined in the California Interoperability Field Operations Guide (Cal-IFOG). This ensures you know the correct state frequencies, tone plans, and plain-language protocols used during a cross-agency mutual aid crisis.

Equipment requirements for the Cal OES Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) program focus heavily on versatility and portability. Because volunteers deploy to physical Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), mobile communication vans (TACCOM), or isolated field locations, they are expected to bring a self-sufficient setup. 

Unlike programs like MARS, an amateur radio license or specialized military radio is not strictly required to join ACS because members frequently communicate over government-owned commercial frequencies (Part 90). However, operators are highly encouraged to possess the following gear tiers: 

1. Primary Handheld Transceiver (VHF/UHF)

• Dual-Band HT: A rugged handheld transceiver capable of operating on both VHF (144–148 MHz) and UHF (420–450 MHz).

• Commercial/Part 90 Capability: Many units prefer or require radios that can be programmed for commercial public safety frequencies. For example, radios like the Bendix King (BK) or ruggedized commercial lines (Kenwood/Motorola) are standard for operating on California mutual aid channels such as CALCORD (California On-Scene Emergency Coordination). 

• Power & Battery Resilience: Handhelds should output a minimum of 5 watts. You must have a way to power the radio for at least 24 to 72 hours without grid power, meaning drop-in 12V DC car chargers, spare high-capacity Li-ion batteries, or an AA-battery alkaline shell are mandatory.

2. High Frequency (HF) Setup (For Regional/State Nets)

• HF Transceiver: For state-level backup infrastructure, operators use HF gear to check into the weekly Cal OES nets on the 40, 80, and 160-meter amateur bands. 

• Interoperability Features: For high-level field setups, Cal OES emphasizes the use of HF transceivers that are ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) capable and Type Accepted to seamlessly cross over into federal emergency systems like SHARES (Shared Resources HF Radio Program) and STACOM. 

• Portable Antennas: A field-deployable antenna (such as an NVIS dipole or end-fed wire) that can be easily strung up between trees or poles during an evacuation center deployment.

3. Power Supplies & Accessories

• 12-Volt Portability: Deep-cycle marine batteries, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) power banks, or portable solar panels capable of generating uninterrupted juice for a 100W HF or 50W mobile base rig.

• Anderson Powerpoles: The near-universal standard connectivity interface for all emergency emergency management gear in California. Your power cables and rigs should be terminated with Powerpoles to instantly interface with shared batteries or EOC power distribution strips.

• High-Gain Magnetic Mount Antenna: A VHF/UHF mobile antenna with a magnetic base to instantly transform a personal vehicle or a temporary command table into a high-reach base station.

4. "Go-Kit" Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When deployed to active fire zones or county disaster regions, you are legally a state worker and must bring a standard 72-hour field "Go-Kit": 

• Safety Attire: ANSI Class 2 or 3 high-visibility safety vest, sturdy steel-toe or heavy leather work boots, a hard hat, and leather work gloves.

• Administrative Gear: A clipboard, waterproof field notebooks (Rite in the Rain), pens, a copy of the California Interoperability Field Operations Guide (Cal-IFOG), and standard ICS ICS-214 activity log sheets.

• Personal Care: A comprehensive personal medical kit, 3-day supply of personal medications, flashlight/headlamp with spare batteries, and water/rations

To join the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Communications Reserve Unit (CRU)—formerly known as the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)—you must apply as a volunteer public service responder. 

The application process is handled through the Cal OES Tactical Communications Division. 

Requirements to Join

• Interest in Public Safety: You must demonstrate a dedicated interest in the Incident Command System (ICS), the National Incident Management System (IMS), and public safety communications. 

• No License Required: An amateur radio license is not mandatory to handle Part 90 public safety communications, though holding one is highly beneficial. 

• Background Check: Because members staff Emergency Operation Centers and deploy tactical assets, you must pass a standard state background screening. 

Step-by-Step Enrollment

• Contact the Unit: Reach out directly to the Tactical Communications Branch via the Cal OES Auxiliary Communications Portal to request an official volunteer application packet. 

• Submit Documentation: Complete the application forms, detailing your technical background, any emergency management certifications, and radio operating experience. 

• Complete Training: Once accepted, you will be required to complete foundational disaster preparedness and communications courses, often coordinated through the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI).