EMC084 ACS - ARES Operations  1/2
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services  

EMC084 ACS - ARES Operations   1/2  For release 6/16/97 

Continuation of query: "....For instance, up to a certain situation, 
does the ACS function mainly as a closely knit ARES-like support group
closely tied to government? After that point does the group kick into
a RACES-like mode......In that case are there sometimes some of the
original group still operating in the first mode/level?"

Reply: No. The problem here is the mindset created by the ARES
situation where it has to 'switch hats' to serve that government.
The overall result is a form of "sanction" by local government for the
ARES unit to function as a unit of government. The ACS already IS a
government function. It does not need to 'shift levels' as does an 
ARES group. There are no 'levels of operations' in the sense of ARES
and RACES. ACS 'levels' are only those that indicate the degree of
activity at the government facility as explained in bulletin 083.

A fully functional ACS unit is always active and involved in the agency
affairs. ACS participants are at the agency as many days of EVERY week
as possible. They do so on a regular basis --- doing administrative and
management tasks in addition to any net activities. This keeps the unit
in full view of agency personnel while providing untold opportunities
to absorb agency protocol, nuances and other unwritten factors that
enhance the units function and usefulness when the eventual emergency
occurs. Obviously, this level of committment and participation is not
for everyone.

An ACS unit supports ALL government communications-related needs as part
of its overall activities and operations, not just passing messages on
the Amateur bands. It may never use an Amateur band during an incident
if its other systems are adequate. The ACS may evoke some operations on
the Amateur bands IF there are adequate benefits and available clear
channels. Unfortunately, we've had instances over the last several
years where we've had to avoid the Amateur frequencies due to health
and welfare traffic interests who trounced emergency services nets,
rendering them inoperable. 

Topic continues next bulletin.

                                  ---
ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov   (Do NOT put www. before acs)
FTP archive:ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming for new
bulletins and ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/races for earlier bulletins
OES ACS staff manager Stan Harter Email: Stanly_Harter@oes.ca.gov
State Chief ACS Officer Cary Mangum, Email Cary_Mangum@oes.ca.gov
or cary_mangum@bbs.macnexus.org 
EOM EMC084