In 2007, Vermont Emergency Management and the Vermont Department of Health launched a joint initiative and established the RACES Healthcare Communications Network (HCN). This program has established 30 HF / VHF / UHF fixed voice and digital stations at every Vermont hospital and Health Department location in the state. The digital communications component of this system utilizes Pactor III SCS modems and the Winlink email system which interfaces with Radio Message Servers (RMS) around the country. This capability allows for HF based data transmissions (email) to the Internet or directly from station to station, including the State EOC.
In 2009, the RACES HCN system attained approval from the Department of Defense - Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) to operate on federally assigned frequencies outside of the amateur radio spectrum.
Each HCN station has assigned RACES members who coordinate with each hospital and Health Department location to establish station operating and response procedures during network activations. The HCN network is tested on a quarterly basis.
Vermont Hospital Stations
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital- Central Vermont Medical Center
- Copley Hospital
- Gifford Medical Center
- Grace Cottage Hospital
- Mt. Ascutney Hospital
- North Country Hospital
- Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
- Northwestern Medical Center
- Porter Medical Center
- Rutland Regional Medical Center
- Springfield Hospital
- Southwestern Vermont Health Care
- University of Vermont Medical Center
- VA Medical and Regional Office Center
- Brattleboro Retreat
Vermont Department of Health District Office Stations
Barre- Bennington
- Brattleboro
- Burlington
- Middlebury
- Morrisville
- Newport
- Rutland
- St. Albans
- St. Johnsbury
- Springfield
- White River Junction
- VDH Central Office