EMC284 Sharing Ideas
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  

EMC284 Sharing Ideas       Release 4/9/01

Here's how one EMCOMM unit has developed interesting Web site
features/benefits.

1. An online calendar that is open to the public that provides
info on all unit activities. Detail such as date/time/location
(with directions), event specific news and information; also a
direct link to email the contact person for each event.

2. For large events participants can sign up from the web page
using an on-line registration function. David Boehm, N6DSB, the
author of these features, provided a color code to each type
event to locate interesting items. He set it to default to the
current month, but by use of a drop down list other months and a
choice of event types can be selected.

3. A password protected area provides each members personnel
information so each one can keep his/her information up to date.
The data is then used to print the unit roster.

4. Another password protected area is the TIMECARD area, where
each member can enter the number of hours provided in support of
an event, including pre-event planning, etc. Also provides a
total of a persons events and hours.

5. Another password protected area (coming soon) is County Asset
Tracking. Here those who have been issued County property, such
as COR Box repeaters or Slow-Scan TV equipment, can register
them. A future goal is to list assets currently unassigned and
available for use by any unit participant.

6. A VIEWMASTER record (password protected) provides a printer-
friendly combination of each members info, timecard and county
assets on one page. At the end of the year it is intended to be
used to complete their official timecard.

The information was in the March 2001 Issue of "Net Control", the
monthly newsletter of County of Orange RACES (CA). Their web page
is http://www.ocraces.org

There are many interesting and helpful Web pages by units across
country. Has yours developed Internet technology in a way that can
be an example for others? If so, please share it for the benefit
of anyone that can use the same or a similar process - its called
"idea sharing".

As you know some ideas are easier to grasp than others. The ones
that David put into effect should be easy to comprehend and
implement, as they describe specific physical or material uses
and conditions. In contrast, when it comes to sharing ideas of
mental images or the power of what we think (such as the recent
bulletins) that can be difficult. But, the process of offering
the idea for others to consider or disregard is important.

Like these bulletins, they are intended to be idea sharing. You
can use them, ignore them, trash them or collect them according
to your own determination. If you use the material please refer
to their source.

And, THANKS to all those who have written telling of their use
of the bulletins, and the sharing of their ideas.

Cary Mangum, W6WWW        E-mail: cary.mangum@macnexus.org
                           ---
Bulletins are on the ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov/  - and a
FTP archive at ftp.ucsd.edu/emcomm   along with a Landline BBS at
916-262-0856 (graphical & standard interface). A direct subscription
E-mail subscription available at http://www.harthaven.com/subscribe/
EOM