Duane Allen passed his amateur radio test at just 14 years old. In 1961, Allen didn’t know he’d grow to love amateur radio so much that he would eventually dedicate his retirement to volunteering with Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES). Allen is a RACES Operator at the Amateur Extra level, which is the highest amateur class and allows him operating privileges on all bands and modes.

April is National Volunteer Month, and as such, the EMD Volunteer Program is sending a big shout out to Allen as a model volunteer. Invaluable in assisting the EMD/Preparedness Division Volunteer Program in its formation and continued success, Allen volunteers numerous hours every month to updating volunteer files, writing curriculum and instructing the eight-week HAM radio course. In addition, Allen performs monthly radio checks and assists in the monthly roll call in the RACES room at the County Administrative Center, where he is better known as call sign KK6EE. Allen also volunteers once a month at radio station W6RO aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, where he teaches visitors their names in Morse code. All of these volunteer responsibilities are performed with his signature smile and chuckle.

The EMD Volunteer Program sincerely thanks Duane Allen for volunteering his time and effort to make EMD programs and our Riverside County community more resilient.

The EMD Volunteer Program was established in July 2016 and encompasses several volunteer groups aimed at preparing for and mitigating disasters. The different volunteer groups include: Disaster Corps, which RACES, the Community Emergency Response Team, Mass Care Shelter Managers, and the Functional Assessment Service Team.  The volunteer program also oversees the Medical Reserve Corps and the Pharmacy Emergency Response Team.

Currently, EMD’s volunteer cadre is 428 participants strong. Prospective volunteers must pass a background check, take basic ICS/SEMS/NIMS courses, and hold the technical licenses needed for their respective volunteer group. For more information on volunteering, email apita@rivco.org.