Ham Radio Operators Form Emergency Network : Volunteers: Members of C-Cares will initially back up police and fire personnel. Members will later be trained as disaster-relief workers.

Amateur radio operators in Culver City will be taking their civic duty to the airwaves as members of a new emergency communications network supporting the city’s fire and police units.

C-Cares (Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service) met for the first time at the end of November, when nearly 30 ham radio operators showed up to volunteer. There are roughly 250 registered amateur radio operators in Culver City, said H.L. Marks, one of the coordinators of the group.

In addition to providing emergency communications services, the group plans to back up fire and police personnel during public events in the city.

And there are other possibilities.

“If there was a baby missing in Culver City, we could coordinate . . . the communication between search teams and the police or fire departments,” Marks said.

Culver City’s police and fire departments have been squeezed by tight budgets, creating an even greater need for groups such as C-Cares.

“These folks have equipment that would be very helpful to us--they could become an extra set of eyes and ears for us,” said Lt. Tom Gabor of the Culver City Police Department. “There is just no way that we can have a police officer on every corner, although in some situations, we’d like to.”

The Culver City Fire Department is coordinating C-Cares. The department, out of its civil defense fund, has purchased four radios, three antennas and a radio room, which will be C-Cares’ headquarters during emergencies. The equipment is worth about $3,000.

“I’ll buy whatever they need, within reason. That’s how important the group is to us,” said Asst. Fire Chief Paul Francis.

Before the volunteers officially become members of C-Cares, the Culver City Police Department will check their backgrounds. Those who are eligible to join C-Cares will be sworn in as disaster-relief workers, covered under the state worker’s compensation program for any injuries they suffer during training exercises and emergencies.

Later, the Fire Department will train the volunteers in CPR, first aid and the details of Culver City’s disaster plan.

C-Cares has patterned itself after other emergency amateur radio programs in the area. Los Angeles County runs the Disaster Communications Service, whose members include Santa Monica’s disaster relief program--40 ham operators who have helped out during the floods, earthquakes and fires that have ravaged portions of the Westside. Last year’s Malibu fires were a true test of the group’s ability, said Laura Hernandez, emergency services coordinator for Santa Monica.

“We were able to track the path of the fire, coordinating through Malibu and Pacific Palisades,” said Hernandez. “We also used (the amateur radio operators) to find out who needed shelters and where there were beds available.”

“It works as long as you gain their cooperation, support and understanding, “ she said. “You don’t want them going off and doing their own thing.”

Information: (310) 202-5832.