Our local Emergency Management office keeps pushing for RACES registration in addition to ARES membership. ARRL and FEMA both recommend dual membership, but I'm wondering if it's really necessary in practice.

The easiest way is to make your RACES net an ARES net with EC approval so your group isn't bound by specific time constraints, and if participating amateurs are registered in both, they can switch hats as conditions dictate. But the RACES registration seems like extra bureaucracy.

Anyone here dual registered? What are the practical benefits beyond the theoretical "continuation of operation during declared emergency when normal amateur operations might be prohibited"?

I've been dual registered for 15 years and it's paid off twice. During our major flood in 2019, having RACES credentials got me access to restricted areas that ARES alone wouldn't have. RACES operators are activated by jurisdictions and are the only amateur radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the President invokes the War Powers Act. Better to have it and not need it.

The paperwork isn't that bad - mostly just a background check and some forms. Many local ARES groups are registered with Emergency Management agencies to permit operations under RACES rules if needed. Your EC probably has the forms ready to go. I'd say do it if your county is pushing for it - shows you're serious about the commitment.

Honestly, I've been ARES-only for 8 years and never felt limited. RACES almost never starts before an emergency and is normally shut down shortly after the emergency clears. Most real-world activations I've seen have been straight ARES operations. But if your local EM wants it, probably worth doing to maintain good relationships.