Fire Department Home

HB Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

Huntington Beach RACES

Huntington Beach RACES volunteers operate on behalf of the Huntington Beach Fire Department, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Office. RACES emergency communications are authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Part 97.407). For non-emergency public service and special events, HB RACES operates as an auxiliary communications service (ACS) for the City of Huntington Beach.

During times of emergency, our members may be called upon to exchange messages between key locations such as fire stations, police stations, hospitals, schools, public works facilities and other city resources. Our members are trained in the use of various communications modes and use the best available means to provide auxiliary communications. All HB RACES volunteer members provide and operate their own equipment.

The membership of HB RACES is screened and is required to maintain competency in communications, technology, and emergency response processes through participation in regular training, drills and community events. HB RACES personnel are certified by the State of California as Disaster Service Workers and are trained to provide public safety communications support. All applicants must pass a thorough background check conducted by the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Special Events Communications

We provide communications for special events (Public Service, Outreach and Training) such as:

4th of July Parade
Surf City Marathon
Fire Department Shadow Drills
Pacific Airshow (including John Wayne, Los Alamitos and air boss comms)
Annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay
Annual ARRL Field Day
County-wide Emergency Operations Center Drills
County-wide SET Drills
County-wide AREDN Drills
County-wide Winlink Drills

Priorities During a Disaster

HB RACES members may be deployed throughout the City to provide auxiliary communications that may include:

Establishing RACES Net Control in the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Relaying CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) neighborhood reports
Supplementing impact assessment and/or windshield survey reports for the EOC
Backing up Fire, Police, Public Works, and Marine Safety communication systems
Providing backup communications between public/private schools and the EOC
Establishing communications in emergency shelters

Ready to Join? Contact Us Today

To volunteer and participate in Huntington Beach RACES, all members must meet the following requirements:

Want to help your community in time of need
Have an amateur radio operators license
Have a portable (HT) 2m/70cm radio
Available for emergency call-outs
Available for special events
Attend monthly meetings at City Hall
Participate in weekly on-air radio net
Live or work in Huntington Beach
Be at least 18 years old
Pass a background check by HBPD

Visit our website at hbraces.org

Weekly Net Schedule

Every Monday night at 19:15 PT (7:15 PM)
2m & 70cm RACES & CERT Roll Calls
Visitor check-ins are welcome

W6HBR 2m Repeater: 145.140 Mhz -600 Khz, Tone 110.9 Hz

W6HBR 70cm Repeater: 447.940 Mhz -5 Mhz, Tone 100.0 Hz

Did you know?

Did you know the Historic Resources Board has organized a Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Huntington Beach? Pick up your walking tour brochure today on the 3rd floor of City Hall! Check out the Historic Huntington Beach webpage for more information!

Request Group Visit/Tour

Request for Records