[Ares-races] Paid vs volunteer

[Mark Derby]

We have ham rigs in the hospitals here in Muskegon, and we have ham =
radios
in both our ARES motorhome and the county's mobile EOC.  We used to have =
one
at Central Dispatch, but the owner of it retired and took it.  We are
working on a replacement.  We also have them at fire stations and police
stations.  They are operated by our ARES members.  Some ARES members are
employed by these agencies, but if they are on duty during an exercise =
or an
emergency, they do not staff the radios, volunteer ARES members do.

Our working relationship with the local municipalites comes from working =
on
voluteer events with them, such as parades and our great Air Fair, and
actively soliciting participation in simulated emergencies.  We are also
involved with the local search and rescue group, which will many members =
are
hams, it is not a ham group.  We also have worked with marinas which is =
why
we don't have a problem with a marine station here in Muskegon.

Is this type of cooperation between ARES and the keyholders of the EOCs
unusual?  It sure isn't here in Michigan's District 6.  I see it in
Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Holland and Grand Haven.

73,

Mark Derby, KB8UFF





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