Welcome to the first Auxiliary Communication Service (ACS) Spotlight: a new addition to the DEM What’s Shakin newsletter dedicated to raising awareness about the San Francisco Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) program.
ACS Spotlight – Who are we?
The San Francisco Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is an all-volunteer organization housed within the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM). ACS provides emergency communication services to the City and County of San Francisco. Members do not self-deploy, typically a designated DEM employee, such as the DEM Duty Officer, EOC Manager, or ACS Coordinator, activates ACS.
ACS uses a variety of technologies to communicate, most often used are amateur radios. Amateur radio (also known as ham radio) has been used for emergency communications during major incidents such as the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and a number of international disasters, such as the Haiti earthquake. With the ability to operate independent of other infrastructure (e.g. electricity, phone, internet, etc.), amateur radio often works when all else fails. Most emergency response organizations also have their own teams of volunteer amateur radio operators, including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Weather Service, Department of Defense, and many local emergency response agencies. All amateur radio equipment is interoperable, so communication can be easily established with other agencies.
ACS volunteers usually live and work in San Francisco and come from all walks of life. They have successfully passed a background check, completed ICS training, and are registered as Disaster Service Worker Volunteers with the State of California. When deployed, ACS operators bring their equipment in order to establish communications from wherever they may be. In addition, ACS operators may be deployed to locations where amateur radio equipment has already been installed, including Fire Department Battalion Stations and many Department Operations Centers.
In addition to serving during disasters, ACS volunteers regularly inspect and maintain amateur radio equipment installed throughout the City, support citywide disaster drills, and provide field reports to the EOC during large events. ACS volunteers also run their own training and exercises and hold a monthly public meeting the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the EOC that is open to the public. Learn more about ACS by visiting www.sfdem.org/acs.
ACS Corner