Protecting Your Community

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a volunteer group of amateur radio operators. RACES is administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a part of the Amateur Radio Service, it provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. Emergencies may include: war-related activities, natural disasters, power outages, floods, victim searches, air crashes, and many others. For more information, visit www.races.net.

SKYWARN Storm Spotters
COPY: The National Weather Service (NWS) has established a network of SKYWARN Spotters to help obtain critical weather information. These volunteers help identify and describe severe local storms, enabling the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN Spotters form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather and help save thousands of lives annually. For more information, visit www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd.

Citizen Corps: Uniting Communities Preparing the Nation
The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through
education, training, and volunteer service. They pledge to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps promotes a range of measures for you to make your family, your home, and your community safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

FACT: Currently, there are Citizen Corps Councils serving over 70% of the total US population.
Visit www.citizencorps.com to search for active Citizen Corps Councils in your part of North Central Texas.

If you’d like to take an active role in helping your community prepare for emergencies, join Citizen Corps. Get information at www.citizencorps.gov

Citizens Fire and Police Academies

Local North Central Texas Fire and Police Departments offer classes to citizens interested in learning more about personnel and policies and taking an active role in helping to protect their communities. Class topics may include emergency medical training, communications, codes and hands-on training. To find an academy near you, contact your local police or fire department.