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RACES, pronounced RAY-sees, is an organization of amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for State and Local governments in times of emergency. Founded in 1952 primarily to serve in civil defense emergencies, RACES provides essential communications and warning links to supplement State and Local government assets during emergencies.

RACES is a special part of the amateur operation sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). RACES provides emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency powers, amateurs officially enrolled in the local civil preparedness group would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.

Traditional RACES operations involve emergency message handling on Amateur Radio Service frequencies. These operations typically involve messages between critical locations such as hospitals, emergency services, emergency shelters, and any other locations where communication is needed. These communications are handled in any mode available, with 2 meters FM being the most prevalent.

RACES groups develop and maintain their communications ability by training throughout the year with special exercises and public-service events.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service  (ARES)

A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as established by the Federal Communications Commission, is the rendering of public service communication for the general public, particularly in times of emergency.

In the early years of Amateur Radio, this service was rendered spontaneously and on an individual basis. But by 1935, the Amateur Radio Relay League (a non-commercial association of radio amateurs) had established the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and in 1949, the National Traffic System (NTS).

Today, ARES has approximately 40,000 licensed amateurs who have registered their availability for emergency operation in the public interest.