Some of you already know I have started a recruiting
campaign
for
ARES/RACES. It kicked off Sunday at the CVARS Hamfest
(Chehalis). I started this effort because there
isn't a single
ARES/RACES unit in WA that has enough trained operators
to staff a
24-7 response. We all have known that but haven't
figured
out how
to get the rest of the Hams interested in
supporting
the
community or training.
The entire country was awakened and united on Sept.
11th.
Many
people, Hams included, want to help but don't know how.
We can
use their desire to our advantage. As I have said
before,
we are
not immune from terrorist attack in the NW. We can only
guess at
the form it may take and where it will happen. If and
when it
does happen, we can count on it being a major event
that
will
overwhelm the local resources. In NYC over 350
operators
were
involved in the 12 hour shifts that went on for
over 2 weeks.
Where would we get that many trained operators?
We need to let Hams know we need their help. I'm
talking
about
Hams who have never made a commitment as well as those
who say
they are part of the system but never show up for
anything
including training. They need to be registered
emergency
workers
and they need to trained.
The recruiting campaign needs to be supported and
embraced
by
every DEC, EC and their staff. What I am suggesting is
getting on
every net you can find and let the participants know
we need them
to join ARES/RACES and get trained. Stress that they
need to know
the communications plan to be useful. Get the same
message
to
every club by giving a personal presentation. Take a
sign up
sheet and emergency worker applications with you and
sign them up
on the spot. Get every active member of your team to
contact
every Ham they know who is not an active ARES/RACES
member
and
encourage them to be part of the team.
The training issue is just as important as getting
the
prospective
volunteers to make a commitment. If you have a training
program
but you feel it needs improvement, now is the time to
do it. If
you do not have meaningful training, now is the time
to create
it. In either case, I suggest you review the material
at
http://home.earthlink.net/~w0ipl/EmCom/ and review the
State
RACES Plan http://www.wa.gov/wsem/2-ops/ops-plans/races/racesplan-idx.htm
for pieces missing from your training. Ensure your
training
includes message handling, simplex operations and
thought
provoking exercises that ensure everyone knows how to
use their
own equipment and the equipment installed in EOCs,
hospitals,
Red
Cross etc.
This message is targeted at all major population
centers
AND all
the counties (jurisdictions) that are outside those
centers.
When
we are attacked, we will need maximum participation
from
every
jurisdiction. Let's make sure we are ready when we are
called. I
have started the ball rolling, it's up to all of you
to ensure it
picks up momentum.
73,
Ed Bruette, N7NVP
WWa. Section Emergency Coordinator