[Ares-races] Re: Paid vs volunteer radio operators

[Jerry Reimer]

I think April Moell, WA6OPS, founder of the Hospital 
Disaster Support Communications System, handled this topic 
pretty well in her book AMATEUR RADIO: A Communications 
Resource for Hospital Emergencies.


CAN EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HAM OPERATORS MEET OUR NEEDS?

Perhaps, but chances are they will be needed for other 
roles in a disaster, and cannot be freed up to be 
communicators.  How many ham employees do you have? 
 Chances are the hospital has only a few at best.  This 
will not be enough to support an extensive or lengthy 
communications failure.  Also, you cannot assume that 
because someone has an Amateur Radio license that he/she 
is capable of being an effective emergency communicator.

Ham employees also face a legal issue when communicating 
for their hospital.  Current FCC Amateur Radio regulations 
prohibit communications for hire, material compensation or 
on behalf of an employer.  In a major emergency when 
critical communications can only be done by an employee, 
and are intermittent and incidental to the employee�s job, 
there may not be a violation.  If they continue to operate 
however, and receive compensation, there could be a 
problem.  

Public relations problems could also develop if local 
volunteer Amateur Radio operators are assisting and 
realize that the employee ham is getting paid while 
participating in the communications emergency.  While 
operating in accordance with the rules is the individual 
responsibility of the Amateur Radio Operator, the hospital 
should be aware and limit situations which could be 
awkward for the employees and his/her supervisor.  The 
recommendation is to incorporate local Amateur Radio 
Operators.

Trained volunteer Amateur Radio Operators are familiar 
with radio procedures and the frequencies that link the 
hospital with other facilities and agencies.  Of course, 
the employee hams are invaluable in helping incorporate 
hams into the disaster plan and educating local Amateur 
Radio Operators about your hospital.  It is recommended 
that your hospital include radio operators from the 
community in your program.