EMC094 Uses for Amateur Radio 7/7 
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  

EMC094 Uses for Amateur Radio 7/7      For release 8/25/97

Subtitle: More Weaknesses

 A common problem that both conventional and trunking radios
have is the programming software. Almost all radio models, even
those made by the same manufacturer, require individual
programming software. Few agencies own or have all the needed
software access readily available. 

 I have experienced or know of jurisdictions that have had at
least one of the "weaknesses" mentioned above. Amateur Radio can
strengthen a jurisdiction's or agency's communications systems.
Unit leadership must seek out these weaknesses by talking to the
communications agency or point of contact (not a commercial
contractor whose livelihood depends, at least in part, on that
jurisdiction or agency). The law and fire dispatch centers are a
great place to find the weak spots. Bring radio communications
experts from your organization and meet with the jurisdiction or
agency and formulate a plan. You may have to demonstrate their
own weaknesses as they may not have ever experienced any
problems or even had a large scale incident or emergency.
("Remember folks, if the phones fail there are always the
faxes." Extreme but true example.) 

 Also, there is a report made on each incident or emergency and
it will probably contain a critique. Usually communications
problems are mentioned. Obtain these reports, they are public
property, and use them in your presentation. Possibly a
demonstration on how your repeaters or a well placed crossband
mobile set up as a repeater can be used to enhance any response
that they may have to make. 

 The most important thing for unit leadership to remember is the
importance of being an active part of the government. You must
become a part of the jurisdiction or agency that you wish to
assist in time of emergency. The best way is through either the
Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) or the Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service (RACES), both of which are an integral
part of the government they support. It is the only way a
volunteer organization can gain legitimacy. Train and exercise
with them. The unit must be trained and in place when the
agency's system fails. Showing up an hour later may be too late.
Demonstrate how you can strengthen that communications weakness,
even if it is preparing and installing a high gain, directional
cell antenna on that ridge so that the cell phone will 'see'
only one cell site for your public safety or public service
agency. But, again, and even more important, be there during the
quiet times for other things, administrative and otherwise as
well. Or, you may be forgotten altogether. 

It may be hard to some communications volunteers to accept the
fact that if you are not called out several times every month
(and who are?) you are going to be of little use to the majority
of local governments today. Times have changed and we must change
with them.
(series end)
                                  ---
ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov       FTP archive:
ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming for new
bulletins and ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/races for earlier ones
ACS Landline BBS 916-262-0856 (graphical or standard interface)
OES ACS staff manager Stan Harter:  Stanly_Harter@oes.ca.gov 
State Chief ACS Officer Cary Mangum:  Cary_Mangum@oes.ca.gov
EOM EMC094