FNRASEC SECURITE CIVILE

What FNRASEC SECURITE CIVILE does

FNRASEC (Fédération des Radioamateurs au Service de la Sécurité Civile) is a French non-profit federation founded in 1972 under the loi 1901, headquartered at 14 Rue de Miromesnil, Paris, under the authority of the Ministry of Interior's Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile et de la Gestion des Crises (DGSCGC). The organization coordinates approximately 15,000 licensed volunteer radio amateurs across roughly 95 departmental associations (ADRASEC), providing resilient emergency radio communications, distress beacon detection and localization, and supplementary communications capacity to French civil-security authorities during crises, exercises, and major public events.

Its operational stack is built on licensed amateur radio infrastructure spanning HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite (QO-100 geostationary transponder) bands, including a proprietary "Fédéral Meshed Radio Network" linking transponder sites across France (with a high-altitude node at Plomb du Cantal, 1,800m). Technical capabilities include radiogoniometry-based beacon detection on 406 MHz and 121.375 MHz, digital messaging via WINLINK, VARA, AX.25 packet, LoRa, and RETICULUM protocols, satellite and HF deployable stations, and specialized mission software (SARTrack, TCQ, PINPOINT). ARCC Mont Verdun alone processes approximately 5,000 alert signals per year with ADRASEC support, contributing to an estimated 500 lives saved over the past decade.

FNRASEC operates without commercial revenue, providing all services free of charge to government beneficiaries under formal departmental conventions. Its customer base is entirely institutional: the DGSCGC, departmental prefectures and SDIS fire services, ARCC Mont Verdun, DGAC/BEA, CROSS Gris-Nez, COMCYBER (French military cyber defense command), and the Fédération Nationale de la Protection Civile (FNPC). The federation sustains itself through volunteer membership, donations, and implicit government support via conventions, with a paid secretariat of approximately 5 staff coordinating activities nationwide.

Name

FNRASEC SECURITE CIVILE

Legal name

Fédération des Radioamateurs au Service de la Sécurité Civile

Website

https://fnrasec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FNRASEC is a French non-profit federation of approximately 15,000 volunteer amateur radio operators across ~95 departmental associations, providing resilient emergency radio communications and distress beacon detection to French civil-security authorities (DGSCGC, prefectures, SDIS, ARCC) under formal government conventions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Security Emergency Communications

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Medical Assistance & Field Care (DMAT/Field Hospitals) (HLAJAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dispatch, Communications & Medical Control Centers (PSAP/ECC) (HLAFANAK)

Keywords

• Emergency radio communications
• Civil security services
• Amateur radio federation
• Distress beacon detection
• Search and rescue support

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Volunteer Membership and Donations: FNRASEC is a non-profit federation of volunteer radio amateur associations. Revenue appears to come from member subscriptions, donations, and possibly government subsidies or conventions with public authorities. No commercial product or service revenue model is indicated. The organization operates free of charge to government beneficiaries, providing its services as a civic duty.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FNRASEC is a federation of volunteer amateur radio operators providing supplementary emergency radio communications and distress beacon detection services to French civil security authorities. Through ~95 departmental ADRASEC associations covering all French departments, it deploys HF/VHF/UHF/SAT radio networks, conducts SATER (aero-terrestrial search and rescue) operations, and localizes aeronautical, maritime, and personal distress beacons. Services are activated by government authorities (prefectures, SDIS fire services, DGSCGC, military) under formal conventions and are provided free of charge.

Product overview

FNRASEC (Fédération Nationale des Radioamateurs au Service de la Sécurité Civile) is a federation of volunteer amateur radio operators who provide civil security emergency communications services. The organization operates through its departmental ADRASEC associations, offering resilient radio communication networks, SATER (aero-terrestrial rescue) operations, beacon detection, and supplementary radio infrastructure during crises. The core offering is volunteer-based emergency communication services for French civil security authorities, not a commercial product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ADRASEC Departmental Volunteer Radio Services Core service delivered through ~95 departmental ADRASEC associations: volunteer licensed radio amateurs providing supplementary emergency radio communications, SATER (aero-terrestrial rescue) support, beacon detection, and crisis radio networks for French civil security authorities (prefectures, SDIS, DGSCGC, ARCC).
• Emergency Radio Communications Service Resilient HF/VHF/UHF/SAT radio communication networks that supplement traditional telecommunications during disasters, emergencies, or infrastructure failures, supporting prefectures, SDIS, and civil security forces when mobile, internet, or telephone networks are degraded or unavailable.
• SATER (Sauvetage Aéro-Terrestre) Aero-terrestrial search and rescue operations involving the detection and localization of distress beacons (406 MHz, 121.375 MHz, personal locator beacons) using radiogoniometry, mobile search teams, and PCT (Poste de Commandement) coordination in support of ARCC, prefectures, and CROSS.
• Distress Beacon Detection and Localization Monitoring and detection of aviation, maritime, and personal distress beacons on 406 MHz and 121.500 MHz frequencies to support search and rescue operations coordinated by ARCC, CROSS Gris-Nez, DGAC, and BEA, with mapping and localization using SARTrack, OZIEXPLORER, PINPOINT, and TCQ software.
• Prefectoral Transmission Exercises Prefect-level transmission exercises simulating communication failures to test and validate emergency radio procedures between prefectures and sub-prefectures, including transmission of messages and images from isolated zones using WINLINK, VARA FM, and AX.25 packet radio.
• Public Awareness and Recruitment Events

Quantifiable outcome

• ~500 lives saved with ARCC support over 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ADRASEC 40 - SDIS Landes ConventioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2026ADRSEC 40 signed a renewed partnership convention with the SDIS des Landes on 7 February 2026, updating the previous 2015 agreement to reflect current federal standards. Also signed a convention with the Association Départementale des Réserves Communales de Sécurité Civile.
• REF (Radioamateur Emergency Network) and IARUminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2025FNRASEC participated in the 100th anniversary congress of the REF (Réseau des Emetteurs Français) in Provins, alongside IARU celebrations in Paris. Joint exhibition stands maintained. The REF and FNRASEC share members and collaborate on radio amateur emergency communications.
• Fédération Nationale de la Protection Civile (FNPC) - Congress PartnershipminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2025FNRASEC actively participated in the 60th anniversary congress of FNPC in Lyon (March 2025), sharing a RETEX from Mayotte and engaging in legislative discussions on volunteer recognition in civil security. The charged de mission telecommunications of FNPC expressed interest in future cooperation.
• Fédération Nationale de la Protection Civile (FNPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 January 2025FNRASEC operators Nicolas F4JCK and Enzo F4IAI were deployed to Mayotte (January 2025) under FNPC disaster response operations following Cyclone Dikeledi, providing emergency HF and satellite communications from Bouéni and Koungou. The FNPC and FNRASEC convention governs this cooperation.
• Ministère de l'Intérieur - DGSCGC (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile et de la Gestion des Crises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFNRASEC operates under the authority of the DGSCGC. The Ministry provides the regulatory framework and convenants that authorize and govern ADRASEC operations. The national official station is F6PCT, licensed under the Ministry.
• SDIS - Services Départementaux d'Incendie et de Secours (Departmental Fire and Emergency Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple SDIS departments (40, 62, 72, 77, 86, and others) sign formal conventions with their respective ADRASEC associations. SDIS provide facilities, coordination, and operational integration with fire services during exercises and crises.
• ARCC Mont Verdun (Centre Régional de Coordination et de Sauvetage)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCC Mont Verdun coordinates aeronautical distress beacon detection and search operations in south-eastern France. ADRASEC provides beacon monitoring, search teams, and radio localization support under requisition. The ARCC celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2025, having saved ~500 lives with ADRASEC support.
• French Armed Forces / Military (COMCYBER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFNRASEC participated in the ORION 2026 military exercise under COMCYBER (Commandement Interarmées de la Cyberdéfense) direction. Two meetings were held at État-major des Armées et de l'Espace à Balard, Paris, in July and September 2025 to define FNRASEC's integration and missions in the cyber-electromagnetic domain. ADRASEC 56 led operations with ADRASEC 35 reinforcement.
• UIISC1 (Unité d'Instruction et d'Intervention de la Sécurité Civile No. 1)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADRASEC 28 collaborated with ADRASEC 61 and 72 to maintain an exhibition stand during UIISC1 open doors at Nogent-le-Rotrou. The military demonstrated strong interest in ADRASEC resilient communications capabilities.
• DGAC / BEA (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile / Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses)coreTechnology or IntegrationFNRASEC maintains operational relationships with DGAC and BEA for aviation distress beacon detection, crash site localization, and participation in search and rescue exercises coordinated with these civil aviation authorities.
• CROSS Gris-Nez (Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage)coreTechnology or IntegrationCROSS Gris-Nez is the maritime rescue coordination center. FNRASEC collaborates on distress beacon detection and maritime search operations, complementing the CROSS's maritime surveillance mission.
• Copas-Sarsat (International Satellite System for Search and Rescue)coreTechnology or IntegrationCopas-Sarsat is the international satellite system detecting distress beacons. ADRASEC is a key ground support component for processing and localizing 406 MHz beacon signals detected via the Sarsat system, acting as the human network that physically searches detected zones.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Croix-Rouge Française: The French Red Cross is the largest volunteer humanitarian organization in France, providing emergency response, first aid, social support, and disaster relief. Comparable to FNRASEC as a French volunteer organization operating under government-conventioned civil security mandates, but operating on a much larger scale and broader humanitarian scope beyond radio communications.
• SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer): SNSM is the French volunteer maritime rescue organization operating lifeboats and rescue stations along the French coast. Comparable to FNRASEC as a French volunteer civil-security organization under government conventions with the Ministry of Interior, but specialized in maritime rescue rather than radio/communications support.
• Fédération Nationale de la Protection Civile (FNPC): FNPC is the larger French federation of volunteer associations for civil protection, covering first aid, disaster response, and operational support across France. It is comparable to FNRASEC as a French volunteer civil-security umbrella organization and an active FNRASEC partner (e.g., Mayotte 2025 deployment under FNPC operations), but operates more broadly across first-aid and rescue rather than specializing in radio communications.
• Protection Civile Française (Operational Unit): The operational Protection Civile units (antennes départementales) deploy first-aid posts and disaster response volunteers across France. Comparable to FNRASEC as a French volunteer civil-security operational force activated by prefectures, but providing first-aid and rescue services rather than radio communications.

Others

• Ordre de Malte France: Ordre de Malte France is a large French volunteer humanitarian organization providing first-aid posts, disaster response, and social services under government conventions. Comparable to FNRASEC as a French volunteer civil-security organization, but operating more broadly in humanitarian and first-aid rather than radio communications.
• International Amateur Radio Union (IARU): IARU is the worldwide federation of national amateur radio societies, coordinating spectrum defense and emergency communications standards internationally. Comparable to FNRASEC as the international umbrella within which national societies (and indirectly FNRASEC's REF-related peers) operate, but not itself a deployable emergency communications operator.

Emerging players

• Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF): REF is the principal French national amateur radio federation (IARU member society) representing licensed amateur radio operators in France. Comparable to FNRASEC as a French amateur-radio association ecosystem with overlapping membership, but focused on spectrum defense, hobby promotion, and technical radio activity rather than civil-security mission specialization.

Direct peers

• RAYNET (Radio Amateurs Emergency Network UK): RAYNET is the UK volunteer amateur radio emergency communications organization, providing communications support to Category 1 and 2 responders and user services. It operates with a very similar model to FNRASEC: licensed amateur radio operators activated by civil authorities during emergencies, exercises, and public events, organized into regional groups with national coordination.
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES): ARES is the US national organization of volunteer licensed amateur radio operators providing emergency communications support to served agencies (FEMA, Red Cross, state emergency management). It is the most direct international functional peer to FNRASEC, sharing the model of trained amateur radio volunteers activated by government authorities for disaster communications, exercises, and SAR support.

Regional players

• Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club (DARC): DARC is the German national amateur radio federation (IARU member), with active emergency communications (Notfunk) capabilities supporting German civil protection. Comparable to FNRASEC as a national amateur radio federation with a structured emergency communications function, but operating in Germany rather than France.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FNRASEC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fnrasec-securite-civile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FNRASEC SECURITE CIVILE