[Ares-races] Finding Funding for Ham Equipment - E-911 Center

Fri, 19 Jul 2002 11:09:06 -0400

Technically, a RACES unit is a sub-unit of the Office of Emergency 
Management -- at least here in NJ. So we aren't a separate entity that 
could be non-profit. As such, we would find it very hard to get money for 
RACES from outside groups. For that reason, we try to develop the best 
possible relations with the officials who head up the OEM and who control 
the budget. They are the ones who ultimately end up funding OEM/RACES 
operations.

In James' case, perhaps the best thing to do is work with those officials 
to get the money next year... or in pieces over the next few years.

ARES is of course a different animal -- technically. You might be able to 
get money via the ARES names. Even so, what ARES "is" is a little murky -- 
an ARRL org?  The units around here who have incorporated as non-profits 
and have obtained grants did so as separate clubs or organizations.

73,

Ralph KC2RLM
Chatham NJ ARES

At 09:43 AM 7/19/2002, Nick Meacher wrote:
>The first issue you'll need to take care of (as I've been through this one)
>is make sure that your group is registered as a non-profit.  No agency or
>organization will do anything without this status.
>
>Next, approach FEMA, local businesses, Rotary, etc and outline your needs.
>The best way to do this is to show why, what you can do, etc.  Check out the
>Emergency and Disaster Communications report on our ARES page under the
>"forms" section.  It might give you some ideas.  It's surprising home many
>government officials are not aware of their capabilities and the problems
>that they may encounter.  This kind of report can then be used as an opener
>to local groups and companies.
>
>You may well find that several groups will have funs available for donations
>once they realize that there is an important need that needs to be met.
>
>The one problem that I've encountered in our brand new $1,000,000 police
>station that houses our new EOC is that the "planning group" deleted the
>recommendations for space for amateur equipment "as there is not a need".
>Now we have a new Emergency Coordinator and Police Chief who are very much
>in favor of us being there but there is not space for us!  We have equipment
>donated from our State Division of Emergency Services and no where to put
>it!
>
>Good luck
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: James E Bond [mailto:[email protected]]
>Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 05:17
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Ares-races] Finding Funding for Ham Equipment - E-911 Center
>Importance: High
>
>
>
>I am interested in ways to
>find funding for emergency
>communications equipment in
>our new E-911 Center currently
>being constructed in our
>county. It seems that no
>expense is being spared for
>this center, including a 300
>ft tower designed as a
>complete back up to the
>trunked 800MHz system.  That
>is, except for the RACES
>station.
>
>Last year I participated on a
>committee to make
>recommendations on ham
>equipment for the center. The
>design of the center does not
>allow copper wire to penetrate
>into same. We came up with a
>suitable design and
>recommended they use the
>TS-2000 (in duplicate).
>
>Now come to find out they have
>not made any allocations
>whatsoever in their budget for
>ham equipment, despite having
>our input. Now come to find
>out they plan to use existing
>VHF/UHF equipment, how I am
>not entirely sure.
>
>I am curious to know if anyone
>has had similar issues to
>contend with; and if so, and
>how the money was raised.  I
>have heard of the ARRL giving
>grants for such projects, but
>I do not know how to approach
>this.
>
>Any other suggestions?
>
>Thank you very much.
>
>73,
>
>James E. Bond, K6SPY
>[email protected]
>METERS/ARES/RACES Knox County.
>Tennessee
>http://www.meters.org
>
>
>
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