Some very old technology is the newest way to get the word out about AMBER Alerts. Ham radios are now being used for alerts in Orange County, California, along with all the normal notifications like radio, TV, and highway signs.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office uses RACES—Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service—volunteers to broadcast to all the “hams” roaming the freeways and city streets in Southern California. A two-meter RACES repeater is used to transmit the information at 15-minute intervals. An operator also stands by in case a ham radio operator spots a possible suspect.

“We feel that this is just one more way of having additional eyes looking for the abducted child,” said Robert Stoffel, Communications Division Director at the Orange County Sheriff's Department. “It would be easy for jurisdictions that have RACES programs to implement a similar program.”

Here are the specifics on how Orange County uses RACES volunteers for AMBER Alerts. The RACES program coordinator receives an alert notification from the Sheriff's Office and activates RACES using the paging system. The message indicates an AMBER ALERT ACTIVATION with a contact frequency and phone number. Activation is time sensitive and RACES is not used between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Available RACES members check in on the frequency or telephone number provided on the page. A “Net Control” operator is selected and provides the AMBER Alert information. Net Control broadcasts the information on the RACES 2-Meter 146.895 repeater and uses the RACES Child Abduction Emergency broadcast form.

The Net Control operator can operate from any location but should be in a place where a clear and strong signal can be heard from their transmissions. The operator can also choose to operate from the RACES Radio Room at the County Emergency Operations Center. The Net Control operator re-broadcasts the information every 15 minutes and every time a request is made by an Amateur Radio operator.

The Net Control operator relays any information about a suspect sighting by telephone to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Net Control will not tell Amateur Radio operators to take any action unless specifically asked to do so by a law enforcement agency. The Net Control operator stands down from the alert after receiving notification by the Program Coordinator. The cancellation is done by reading the RACES Child Abduction Emergency Closing form.

“I would like to encourage other law enforcement agencies to incorporate amateur radio operators into their overall AMBER Alert response plan,” added Stoffel. “Whatever need arises, trained RACES personnel are ready and prepared to help.”

Original article written by Robert Stoffel, Communications Director, Orange County, California Sheriff's Department.

Some very old technology is the newest way to get the word out about AMBER Alerts. Ham radios are now being used for alerts in Orange County, California, along with all the normal notifications like radio, TV, and highway signs.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office uses RACES—Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service—volunteers to broadcast to all the “hams” roaming the freeways and city streets in Southern California. A two-meter RACES repeater is used to transmit the information at 15-minute intervals. An operator also stands by in case a ham radio operator spots a possible suspect.

“We feel that this is just one more way of having additional eyes looking for the abducted child,” said Robert Stoffel, Communications Division Director at the Orange County Sheriff's Department. “It would be easy for jurisdictions that have RACES programs to implement a similar program.”

Here are the specifics on how Orange County uses RACES volunteers for AMBER Alerts. The RACES program coordinator receives an alert notification from the Sheriff's Office and activates RACES using the paging system. The message indicates an AMBER ALERT ACTIVATION with a contact frequency and phone number. Activation is time sensitive and RACES is not used between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Available RACES members check in on the frequency or telephone number provided on the page. A “Net Control” operator is selected and provides the AMBER Alert information. Net Control broadcasts the information on the RACES 2-Meter 146.895 repeater and uses the RACES Child Abduction Emergency broadcast form.

The Net Control operator can operate from any location but should be in a place where a clear and strong signal can be heard from their transmissions. The operator can also choose to operate from the RACES Radio Room at the County Emergency Operations Center. The Net Control operator re-broadcasts the information every 15 minutes and every time a request is made by an Amateur Radio operator.

The Net Control operator relays any information about a suspect sighting by telephone to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Net Control will not tell Amateur Radio operators to take any action unless specifically asked to do so by a law enforcement agency. The Net Control operator stands down from the alert after receiving notification by the Program Coordinator. The cancellation is done by reading the RACES Child Abduction Emergency Closing form.

“I would like to encourage other law enforcement agencies to incorporate amateur radio operators into their overall AMBER Alert response plan,” added Stoffel. “Whatever need arises, trained RACES personnel are ready and prepared to help.”

What is RACES?

Founded in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by unpaid volunteer Amateur Radio operators during emergencies. Traditional RACES operations involve messages between critical locations such as hospitals and emergency shelters. These communications are handled in any mode available—although 2 meters FM is most common. RACES operators have also staffed emergency operations centers and helped with emergency equipment repair. RACES units develop and maintain their communications ability by training throughout the year with special exercises and public service events. The Orange County Sheriff's Department administers the RACES program in that county. For more information: www.ocraces.org.

Original article written by Robert Stoffel, Communications Director, Orange County, California Sheriff's Department.