The Baltimore County ACS Mission

To establish and maintain the leadership and organizational infrastructure necessary to provide emergency, backup and supplemental communications support to the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, its affiliated agencies, hospitals and the Citizens of Baltimore County.

This means far more than activating and deploying personnel during natural or man-made emergencies. Baltimore County ACS personnel are involved in the activities of the agency and facilities they support. BaCo ACS personnel are integrated  into the day-to-day operations. In effect, BaCo ACS personnel are a part of the supported agency's or facility's staff, although unpaid.

To accomplish its mission, BaCo ACS employs a variety of skilled unpaid (volunteer) professionals, including administrative, technical, and operational, to provide emergency tactical, administrative, and logistical communications between the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, County agencies, Hospitals, shelters, surrounding counties, the State and neighboring state agencies.

Baltimore County ACS removes  the false concept that a volunteer communications reserve utilizes only Amateur Radio Service resources and frequencies in support of government and agency communications.  While the organization relies heavily on Amateur Radio Service resources, the organization incorporates other technologies, volunteers and resources.

BaCo ACS ongoing assignment is to develop and maintain a state of readiness within Baltimore County, coordinate with ACS and similar units in surrounding jurisdictions, disseminate information, train personnel, certify equipment, and plan monthly exercises and weekly nets.

BaCo ACS teams support County Hospitals, the Department of Health, Social Services and and when called upon, provide Mutual Aid to the State Emergency Operations Center and surrounding jurisdictions.

The accomplish its mission the organization brings together personnel (volunteers) from the following diverse organizations:

• Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®)
• Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT®)
• Citizen Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• Non affiliated and affiliated disaster aid volunteers

The absolute objective of the Auxiliary Communications Service is to provide the highest standard of communications interoperability support to the citizens of Baltimore County and, when called upon, surrounding jurisdictions.

Global Mission Tasks:

• To provide Agencies, Organizations and Operational Areas with communications advice and support.
• To staff, as assigned, supported agencies and facility Emergency Operation Centers in the event of an emergency, man made or natural and other events.
• To develop, support and maintain telecommunications assets, including communications equipment, computers, vehicles and other resources.
• To provide assistance, advice and support to other Emergency Communication organizations, including, but not limited to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

The Baltimore County Auxiliary Communications Service is registered with, and operates under the authority of the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (OHSEM) in conjunction with the Baltimore County Emergency Management Task Force and within the rules and regulations defined by the Federal Communications Commission.