RACES
Tompkins County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an Organization of Federal Communication Commission (FCC) licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for state and local governments during times of emergency. Created in 1952 primarily to serve in civil defense emergencies, RACES operators provide essential communications and warning links to supplement state and local government agencies during emergencies.
Tompkins County RACES works with the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response (DOER). Many of our TCARA members are also members of RACES. RACES emergency and drill communications make use of the TCARA repeaters and Tompkins County radio towers. Although RACES is a separate organization from TCARA and the county, it is a joint effort by all to provide supplementary and backup communications in cases of local emergency or disaster.