EMC287 A Passion for EMCOMM 2/2
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  

EMC287 A Passion for EMCOMM 2/2        Release 4/30/01

(CONTINUES FROM EMC286, re Bill Pennington, WA6SLA)

Some of the volunteer positions in which he served included that
of Training Officer for El Dorado County RACES, Amador/El Dorado
CDF VIP organization and State OES RACES. In 1990, he was asked
to take a position as the State OES Mutual Aid Region (MAR) IV
Radio Officer (area equivalent to one or more eastern states).

His work with the State OES ACS program lead to increasing levels
of leadership including as ACS Officer of the OES Inland Region.
(area of THREE Mutual Aid Regions - that's three times the size
of the initial area he was assigned and totals 31 counties. It is
a sprawling complex of cities, valleys, foothills and mountains).
(larger and more complex than some sections of the U.S. made up
of several states.)

Bill initiated a rather unique and innovative Region-wide program
of training and information sharing - in a forum type format -
with semi-annual meetings for and with the participation of
RACES, ACS, VIP, ARES and REACT leadership and local, county and
state public safety officials throughout the region. He created,
distributed and maintained an EMCOMM Directory so all Amateur
radio EMCOMM type organizations within the THREE Mutual Aid
Regions have ready access to their peers.

His dream, as expressed to me, was to one day work in the paid
staff position of the State OES Emergency Services Coordinator to
that State OES Inland Region. In January of this year, State OES
appointed him to that position. Bill relinquished his volunteer
position as the Inland Region ACS Officer due to his Coordinator
appointment. However, he is still active as a volunteer in areas
where it does not conflict with his work for State OES. His work
as a Communications Coordinator assisting local governments is
spread out across the interior of California from the mountains
south of Bakersfield to the Oregon border.

One of the many tasks he completed at his own initiative have
been that of several guides, handbooks and manuals for ACS/RACES,
VIP, ARES and REACT organizations (see State OES ACS Home Page.)
His most recent compilation is that of Incident Command System
and Resource Information Management System forms to ACSII and
text files for use in HF/VHF/UHF Amateur Radio digital modes.

To me, Bill is one who well illustrates his passion for what
interests him the most - emergency communications. To Bill, I
must say this: "I appreciate all the help and support you have
given me since I took on the State ACS Officer role in l991.
It's been a interesting journey and I've enjoyed watching your
involvement and leadership."

Now, as a reader, surely, you know others with a passion for
this field of mutual interest! Please write an article we can
publish in this manner. Send it to: 
 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