CERT/RACES
CERT
& RACES Joint Communications Initiative In
November of 2007 as part of VEM’s continuing mission to strengthen all –
hazard response, the RACES and CERT programs established a joint
initiative for communications support during activations. Since
communication is so critical during disaster response, a strategy was
developed to incorporate the existing capabilities of the RACES program as
a routine part of CERT response. The joint initiative now makes the
over 170 licensed VEM RACES operators available to assist CERT with
communications during activations. Vermont CERT organizations were
provided with a dedicated 2mtr/440 RACES radio system, power supply,
tripod and base antenna. Now with formalized RACES support, the
radio system will allow for local communications coordination during an
activation and a direct link to the Healthcare Communications Network
(local hospital or local Vt. Department of Health District office).
Additionally, with the assistance of RACES teams, CERT will now have
direct contact with the VEM EOC through many of the repeater networks
already in place within Vermont. For
more information on Vermont RACES please go to – http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vem/races/. |
