The Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service (DCS) is a volunteer organization administered by the Sheriff's Department for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors operating as the Emergency Operations Board (EOB). The responsibility of DCS, as authorized under County Ordinance, is to provide volunteer disaster relief communication for the citizens of Los Angeles County. The DCS training and readiness program includes weekly radio drills and exercises, monthly management meetings, and actual deployments on major Departmental operations.

The Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service, District 22 (DCS-22) Malibu / Lost Hills Station serves the Western portion of Los Angeles County from Chatsworth Hills on the North to the Pacific Ocean on the South. It includes the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, and Westlake Village.

The DCS-22 organization consists of over 150 Amateur Radio Operators, operating their personally owned two-way radios and donating their time and equipment at no cost to the Taxpayers. The organization is authorized to operate under the RACES Rules of the Federal Communications Commission Regulations.

The Amateur Radio equipment installed at Lost Hills Sheriff station is owned by the County. Two repeater stations (Malibu and Castro Peak) and additional command equipment, are either owned or maintained by members of DCS-22 with the support of Disaster Communications Ten, Inc. (501(c)(3)), the fundraising arm of District 22. All other emergency apparatus is owned by individual members.

During disasters, such as the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and the many fires in the Malibu area since 1951, DCS-22 members have repeatedly provided auxiliary communications between government agencies. This has included communications support to Los Angeles County government and all the Cities in the area. Support has encompassed both Fire and Law Enforcement organizations as well as Federal Agencies like FEMA and the FBI. Other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) are often included. For example, during the first days after the Northridge Earthquake the only link the Granada Hills Community Hospital had with the outside world and city government was through Amateur Radio, provided by DCS-22 members.

DCS-22 members also participate in many public service special events such as the Olympics, the Baker-to-Vegas Challenge Cup Relay race, the Police Summer Games, the City of Hope Run/Bike-a-thon, the War Eagle Relay, and the Rose Parade. They also have assisted in disasters such as the Mexico City, Landers, and Whittier earthquakes, and the local wildfires and severe weather road closures, to mention only a few.

Malibu Station (DCS-10) was first formed by County Ordinance in 1951, and has continued to serve Los Angeles County in many disasters through the years since. DCS-10 was merged into DCS-22 after the incorporation of Malibu as a City and the opening of the Lost Hills Station. One member has served in public service Amateur Radio communications with DCS-10/22 continuously since 1951. Several have been members of DCS for over 30 years of continuous service.

All of the members' personal expenses are paid for by the individuals as required by Federal Law. Currently members contribute approximately 17,000 man-hours yearly. This means that well over one quarter million dollars of service are contributed to the Los Angeles County taxpayer yearly by the Lost Hills / Malibu Ham Radio organization.