Three P's of Public Service

Here is a quick reminder of what I consider the basic 3 P's of Public Service, which are always valid, but even more important in these times:

Preparedness

• Ensuring your family is protected. You can not help others as an Amateur Radio Operator if you have not planned for this.  This requires:
  • Having a written Family Disaster Plan. See Together We Prepare at http://www.redcross.org/  for how to do it.
  • Maintaining a Family Disaster Supplies Kit with a minimum of three days food.  This is not I probably have enough stuff in my cupboard, but food dated and stored for immediate evacuation if needed.  At the very least, having such a kit prevents you from having to fight shopping lines when others panic or a snowstorm approaches, and thus makes you available for public service..
• Keeping a minimum of a half a tank of fuel in all vehicles.
• Knowing your county ARES/RACES plans, including your county alert frequency and self-alerting assignments.
• Having appropriate equipment, antenna kits and interchangeable emergency power sources.
• Keeping batteries charged and generators tested.
• Keeping your HT in your briefcase, purse, etc. with you during heightened alerts.

Proficiency

• Knowing how government and agencies respond to disasters.
• Knowing how amateur radio supplements them.
• Knowing what to do and what not to do.
• Maintaining skill in tactical and formal message handling.
• Completing certification through the ARRL's Emergency Communications courses.

Professionalism

• Attitude - Helping, not hindering
• Reliability - Being there when called
• Flexibility -  Doing what is needed to get the job done.
• Thinking -  Think before speaking especially concerning government/military operations or using your radio as a soapbox for political opinions.
• Appearance - Representing Amateur Radio in a favorable light.

I know we can count on all of you to be prepared, proficient and professional if we are called on to help our communities and country.

The Four S's of Public Service 

As the War on Terrorism progresses, Id like to supplement the three P's of Public Service that I previously communicated with 4 S's.

Sensibility

First of all, its important for us to remain calm and think carefully before acting and speaking. 

Although the threat of terrorist attack on US interests somewhere in the world exists, the chance of something significant actually happening in our area is much, much less. While we need to be prepared, the chances of Amateur Radio having to be used in response to a local emergency hopefully remain small.

When we are elevated to Orange threat status, it does not mandate continuous manning of ARES/RACES circuits.  NJ OEM currently indicates that elevation to threat status Red is unlikely and if it ever did occur, it would most likely be for a very limited area.  If an EOC is opened for actual post-attack relief operations and communications become overloaded, then we would need to consider manning such facilities in accordance with local plans. 

Once again, you primary concern at this time is making sure your home and family are prepared for an emergency.

Safety

Safety of yourself in any operation should be paramount.  If you are dead or injured, you obviously can not be of any help to anyone, and will only compound the problem for those were trying to help.

We need to make sure that any task we undertake is something that we are trained and equipped for.  As emergency communications experts, we are trained in handling messages, establishing nets, and maintaining communications equipment.  Most of us are not trained nor equipped to fight fires, engage in heavy rescue, monitor chemical plumes, or similar hazardous activities.  Trying to do things we are not trained nor equipped for only compounds the problem.  And obviously, make sure that you stay clear of any hazards such as rubble or airborne containments.

Remember in times of stress to also be careful of the normal risks, such as driving safely, tower climbing, roof work, and electrical work.  Nothing we do ever requires us to violate any speed limits or traffic signals.

Fatigue is a big killer.  If activated, make sure you work no more than twelve hours a day and get plenty of sleep when off duty.  In all operations, our communications leadership must make sure that adequate shifts and relief operators are scheduled to minimize fatigue and maximize safety and effectiveness.

Security

Every time you talk to someone on the air even in normal conversation, assume at least ten other people are listening, some of who might wish us harm. So without being paranoid, be careful about on air conversations that might be of value to enemies. 

This includes on the air discussions of military operations, government security procedures, police checkpoint locations, repeater and communication facility locations, EOC locations, Red Cross locations, emergency frequencies, schedules of operations, etc.  When in-person, you have a good idea to whom you are talking to.  On the air you do not know who is eavesdropping, and every bit of information could become part of an overall capability assessment.

So while we doubt that amateur radio is high on any enemy's list of priority targets, and it is true that much of this information can be found from other public sources, we obviously do not want to become an additional or confirming source of information ourselves. 

Sensitivity

Its also important to recognize that one of our major clients, the American Red Cross, has a unique wartime role.  We are mostly used to working with them in their Disaster Relief mission and that is how we would also work with them in any attack recovery.

But as a member society of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, they have to show strict neutrality in wartime, even here at home.  This is necessary for the benefit of medical personnel, civilians, and prisoners of wars in the combat area. 

So amateurs supporting Red Cross operations should keep this in mind when expressing personal opinions or choosing clothing to wear at Red Cross facilities.  Expressions of overtly patriotic feelings are not appropriate at those facilities.

Summary

We have been through this before and we have trained for communication emergencies. The actual risk of a problem developing in our specific area is probably low and the risk of a communication emergency developing even lower.   Let us be calm and ready but also recognize and hope that we probably are not going to be needed.