About Us

THURSTON COUNTY ARES/RACES LEADERSHIP

In any volunteer organization, the Unit Leader cannot run it as a dictatorship or democracy. Leadership is a learned skill in the ability to influence members to contribute their vast abilities in a positive and meaningful manner.

Being combined organizations with like duties, the leadership of ARES and RACES depends on their unique personal talents to get all of the respective tasks completed in a timely and efficient manor.

To see the list of Leadership Positions, click here

A.R.E.S. EC

Duties And Responsibilities:

The Thurston ARES Emergency Coordinator duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. The Thurston County ARES EC is primarily responsible for managing all local ARES communications within this county. The EC is also charged with promoting ARES for the benefit of the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service through:

2. The ARES EC will manage and coordinate the training, organization and emergency participation of interested amateurs working in support of the communities, agencies or functions within the ARES organization.

3. Establish viable working relationships and develop detailed local operational plans with local federal, state, county, city governmental and private public service agencies

4. Coordinate with ARES SEC for the use of Thurston County ARES personnel and equipment in support of local RACES and State Emergency Management Division (EMD) RACES mission requests.

5. Establish local communications networks run on a regular basis. Periodically test the networks by conducting realistic drills using the local emergency and welfare traffic plans within the National Traffic System.

6. Oversee inventory, maintenance and operations of the ARES sites and associated ARES equipment installed therein.

7. In times of a disaster, evaluate and respond with maximum ARES capabilities in a timely manner to the communications needs of the local served agencies.

R.A.C.E.S. RO

Duties And Responsibilities:

The Thurston County RACES Radio Officer duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to

1. Maintain and execute the Thurston County RACES Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) plan and the Washington State RACES plan, using associated annexes and appendixes as needed.

2. Designate Assistant Radio Officers (ARO's) for specific duties within the unit.

3. Oversee inventory, maintenance and operations of the RACES sites and associated RACES equipment installed therein.

4. Insure all operators are trained, certified and qualified to perform duties outlined in the unit SOP operating plan.

5. Coordinate with State RACES Officer and ARES SEC for the use of local ARES personnel and equipment in support of local RACES and State EOC requests.

6. Act as the RACES liaison officer between Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Thurston County Department of Emergency Management, the Thurston County Search and Rescue Council and Thurston County ARES members.

7. As directed, activate and supervise the operation of the RACES station at the Thurston County Emergency Operating Center (EOC) Radio Room.

8. Supervise RACES operations on all RACES traffic and message handling networks in Thurston County.