A newly forged partnership between amateur radio operators throughout the state and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will provide an additional layer of emergency communications during disasters. The historic agreement between IEMA and the amateur radio operators creates the State Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) program.  Under the agreement, IEMA Director Velasquez appointed Brad Pioveson of Benton as the volunteer State RACES Officer. Pioveson will serve as the single point of contact between IEMA and the Illinois amateur radio community. The agreement outlines how information will flow from city or county RACES officers to regional RACES officers, who will channel information to the state RACES station, which will then send it to the SEOC. "Amateur radio operators have a very rich history of providing emergency communications," Pioveson said. "On behalf of the dedicated volunteer emergency communicators who are Illinois ham radio operators, I am delighted to have forged this new agreement with IEMA."