Blaine's Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) supports the Department of Public Safety with a team of dedicated civilian volunteers who bring expertise in communications and related technologies, including electronics, radio, telephony and Internet services.

The men and women of Blaine's ACS is a critical resource: without the help of its members, the Public Safety Department could not coordinate and deliver prompt services during emergencies and crises that overwhelm normal capabilities.

Two main problems faced Blaine in ensuring emergency communications in a small border community:

Providing back up communications and interoperability were not possible for Blaine's Public Safety Department until it commissioned an Auxiliary Communications Service  unit.

Blaine Auxiliary Communications Service volunteers are now working to equip our radio repeater site and our operations center with improved communications. They have already designed built, and are operating a state-of-the-art communications platform to meet the special needs of interoperable communications in our border city, benefiting several different law enforcement and public service agencies, and the amateur radio emergency communications community.

The City of Blaine and the Public Safety Department support ACS efforts with funding for equipment and training whenever possible. All work provided in building, maintaining, and operating the ACS equipment is volunteered by the ACS members.  Over 2,000 hours of volunteer expertise have gone in to putting our communications van on the road.