The Communications Reserve Unit Mission
The Communications Reserve Unit (CRU) operates under the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) Program and works for the Tactical Communications Unit (TACCOM) at the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). Our mission is to serve the State of California in support of any possible need relative to emergency communications. This means far more than being activated in sporadic emergencies, it includes day-to-day involvement in an emergency preparedness capacity. Staff members act as emergency communications reserves to support the state of California in providing reliable, point-to-point voice, data and satellite communications anytime, anywhere.For the state of California, the CRU provides support for all possible communication needs. CRU members possess a variety of professional skills, including administrative, technical, and operational skills for tactical and logistical emergency communications between the state and its agencies, regions, county and city governments, and neighboring state governments.
Specific mission assignments include on-going assistance to counties and cities in developing emergency communications units in their respective jurisdictions. Also, coordination with other State agency ACS units, such as those in Cal Trans, Cal FIRE, California Department of Forestry Volunteers in Prevention Program (CDF VIP), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and in support of the State Emergency Operations Centers in Sacramento and Los Alamitos.
As the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) unit for the State of California, we seek participation and cooperation with and between other emergency communications units statewide, including but not limited to city and county RACES units, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) and the American Red Cross.
California CRU Mission Statement
The Mission of the Communications Reserve Unit is to provide the highest standard of communications interoperability support to the citizens of the State of California.
Our common tasks:
- To provide our sister agencies, organizations and operational areas with communications advice and support.
- To staff Communications Centers at our regional and headquarters Emergency Operation Centers in the event of an emergency or other event as assigned.
- To support and maintain our Communications assets, including communications equipment, vehicles and other resources in the field or as assigned.
- To provide assistance, advice and support to other emergency communications organizations, including, but not limited to, RACES, ARES, and the American Red Cross.
- We will support these organizations in their quest to provide emergency communications support to citizens and agencies in need.
Our CRU Vision
- To provide a deployable, mission-capable 24/7 Emergency Communications Support Team
- To maintain statewide CRU teams
- To have a CRU Team comprised of, supported by, and managed by volunteers, with the direction of the CRU Administrator, and with field or Communication Center response, direction, training, and support given by our Region Emergency Communications Coordinators.
Josh Bozak
Senior Emergency Communications Coordinator (Retired)
Tactical Communications Unit
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
The CRU Motto:
“ Find a Communications Need and Fill It “
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For more information regarding the CRU / ACS program, contact the following:
Bill Pennington: Chief CRU / MAR Officer
Bill Lewis: Deputy Chief CRU / MAR Officer (North)
Tim Peters: Deputy Chief CRU / MAR Officer (South)
John Hudson: CRU / ACS Program Administrator
Ben Green: Deputy CRU / ACS Program Administrator