ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service)

Island County Auxiliary Communication Service

Island County emergency management page that helps residents and neighborhood teams plan radio communications for when phones fail. It covers choosing and using FRS and GMRS radios and links to the county's amateur radio club.

At a glance

Kind
ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service)
Serves
Island County Department of Emergency Management
Counties
Island

This county page explains why cell and internet service may be unavailable or overloaded in a disaster, and how two-way radios can help neighbors stay in touch. It covers how to choose an FRS radio, how GMRS differs (it needs an FCC license but no test), NOAA weather channels, batteries and charging, and basic operating practice.

It points people who want to go further toward the local amateur radio club, which runs monthly meetings and license classes. It also links to the county’s RACES group.

Volunteers serve through the program, not on their own: register as an emergency worker through the sponsoring agency before you help in an emergency.

Before you rely on any group: contact them, join a practice net or drill, and keep calling 911 first whenever you can.