Island County RACES can be activated by the county’s emergency management department during declared emergencies. It trains to pass voice and digital messages between the county EOC and the state EOC, and to support 911 centers, fire and police, county departments, shelters, and neighborhood communication and CERT teams. It also trains CERT and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers in radio practice.
Members also take part in the county’s ARES group, which supports public events such as marathons and parades for practice. You need an amateur radio license to join.
Volunteers serve through the program, not on their own: register as an emergency worker through the sponsoring agency before you help in an emergency.