Auxiliary Communication Auxiliary Communication ServiceService

(ACS)(ACS)

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

An An Auxiliary Communication ServiceAuxiliary Communication Service (ACS) is a program created by a (ACS) is a program created by a governmental disaster recovery or governmental disaster recovery or emergency management office to emergency management office to supplement its emergency supplement its emergency communications operation with communications operation with unpaid staff.unpaid staff.

National Incident Management SystemNational Incident Management System(NIMS)(NIMS)

The ACS concept is recognized in The ACS concept is recognized in Emergency Support Function Two Emergency Support Function Two (ESF 2) of NIMS(ESF 2) of NIMS

The identified ACS in many local The identified ACS in many local plans is RACES.plans is RACES.

HISTORYHISTORY The ACS concept, originally the The ACS concept, originally the Auxiliary Radio Auxiliary Radio

ServiceService (ARS), developed from an incorrect (ARS), developed from an incorrect assumption of the 70’s that a RACES assumption of the 70’s that a RACES organization was only for Radio Amateurs, and organization was only for Radio Amateurs, and a need to utilize communication volunteers a need to utilize communication volunteers over a broader scope.over a broader scope.

Experience during the recovery phase of the Experience during the recovery phase of the Northridge Earthquake (CA 1994) led to the Northridge Earthquake (CA 1994) led to the evolution and expansion of ACS.evolution and expansion of ACS.

ACS and the ACS and the Incident Command SystemIncident Command System (ICS) (ICS) were both initially developed in the mega-were both initially developed in the mega-disasters of California.disasters of California.

APPLICATIONAPPLICATION ACS makes possible the effective ACS makes possible the effective

management and utilization of personnel management and utilization of personnel from Amateur Radio, CAP, MARS, REACT, from Amateur Radio, CAP, MARS, REACT, CERT, and others; in support of CERT, and others; in support of emergency communications and disaster emergency communications and disaster recovery.recovery.

ACS makes it possible to use skilled ACS makes it possible to use skilled individuals in roles other than radio individuals in roles other than radio operators. operators.

The common thread is communication The common thread is communication related tasking.related tasking.

OPERATIONSOPERATIONS

Participation in day to day operations Participation in day to day operations leads to familiarization for leads to familiarization for emergency and disaster response.emergency and disaster response.

May include participation in planning May include participation in planning and preparation for local scenarios.and preparation for local scenarios.

Normally mobilized at the same time Normally mobilized at the same time as other public safety resources as other public safety resources responding to a developing incident.responding to a developing incident.

Where Do We Go From Here?Where Do We Go From Here?

RACES personnel will be involved RACES personnel will be involved with the installation and testing of with the installation and testing of equipment in the RACES Room of the equipment in the RACES Room of the new EOC, and MCP.new EOC, and MCP.

RACES personnel, in cooperation with RACES personnel, in cooperation with EOC staff, will develop plans, EOC staff, will develop plans, documentation and SOP’s to support documentation and SOP’s to support the Emergency Operations Center the Emergency Operations Center communication functions.communication functions.

ACTIVITIES & EVENTSACTIVITIES & EVENTS

RACES personnel will provide EOC RACES personnel will provide EOC communication support, in the interim, communication support, in the interim, developing a familiarity with the center’s developing a familiarity with the center’s function.function.

RACES personnel will participate in drills, RACES personnel will participate in drills, exercises and other events to develop exercises and other events to develop proficiency in their craft.proficiency in their craft.

TRAININGTRAINING

Training opportunities, classes, and Training opportunities, classes, and testing will be offered to any testing will be offered to any interested Amateur Radio operator.interested Amateur Radio operator.

The The Probationary Period Probationary Period gives gives individuals the opportunity to individuals the opportunity to participate while getting the training participate while getting the training and certifications required.and certifications required.

The EndThe End

Thank you for your interest, for more Thank you for your interest, for more information and contact see:information and contact see:

WWW.SUSSEXCOUNTYRACES.COMWWW.SUSSEXCOUNTYRACES.COM