The Montgomery County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service or RACES is an organization of licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer their time, expertise and equipment to supplement radio communications for state and local governments in times of emergency. Applicants appointed to the Montgomery County RACES must meet and comply with Federal Communications Commission and Montgomery County Government rules, regulations and requirements. Montgomery County RACES operates under the authority of the Montgomery County Homeland Security Department and its Office of Emergency Management. Traditional RACES operations involve emergency message handling on Amateur Radio Service frequencies. These operations typically involve messages between state and local government emergency communications centers and any other locations where communications is needed.