[Ares-races] re: ARRL - Red Cross Policy

[Lloyd Colston]

Please review the Memorandum of Understanding with the American Radio 
Relay League and the American Red Cross.  Although it is outside the 
Scope of RACES, since there is discussion, I'll post it there ONCE.

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/redcro.html

> In such cases when the operators are required to carry American Red Cross identification, they must register at American Red Cross disaster operations headquarters as American Red Cross volunteers. 

When one carries the credentials of an organization, one becomes under 
the direction and control of that organization.  In other words, a Fire 
Chief does not have direction and control of the Police Chief, unless 
the PC has Fire credentials or an MOU that states it.

This is an integral part of the Incident Command structure.  Everyone 
has a boss.  Everyone reports to one boss.  Clear lines of communication 
and authority exist up to and including the Incident Command ... 
Emergency Operations Center interface.  ARES and RACES folks would do 
good to take that class since, many times, we are serving IN the EOC or 
one notch away.

> The ARRL may provide volunteers to assist the American Red Cross with communications in support of disaster relief roles as may be mutually agreed upon. Except as set forth below, all such personnel shall be at all times considered ARRL volunteers. 

This is a good clause.  However, volunteers aren't going to know if they 
are serving UNLESS THEY ARE TOLD.  Therefore, it is important that ARES 
volunteers understand the MOU and abide by it.

IF the Radio Officer calls me to deploy to Guymon to support 
communications for Salvation Army, what do my deployment orders say? 
Does the Army own me?  Does the RO there own me?  Does the RO here own 
me?  WHO is my boss?

Personally, I am a Red Cross volunteer.  I don't have a problem doing 
the background check because ARC requires it to keep my ARC credentials. 
  I am also a RACES officer.  I am also a MARS operator (with MOUs 
through there as well).  I am also an ARES and SKYWARN participant.  My 
credentials with each require something from me to get them.  To keep 
them, I have to do stuff.

I think a good line would be to come to a mental understanding of what 
role we serve during a disaster.  Then, during the disaster, we must 
mentally stay focused on that role.

IMO, this is one area where IS-100 and -200 fail.  EVERYONE has a boss 
and I have mentioned to the developers of NIMS that NIMS does not 
aggressively address that fact well.

> Volunteers from ARRL, ARES, and NTS may, under conditions and terms established by American Red Cross from time to time, also serve as American Red Cross volunteers for a mutually agreed upon task or function. Such volunteers shall have the responsibilities and be entitled to the privileges of an American Red Cross volunteer for the designated period in accordance with, and subject to, all American Red Cross standards and regulations.

Seems to read that the League volunteer may serve as a Red Cross 
Volunteer.  If there's a problem with this, maybe the League needs to 
renegotiate this clause.

It doesn't seem fair to cry foul with the ARC for requiring background 
checks of HAMS, when the HAMS have agreed they MAY serve as ARC 
volunteers while some (like me) have no MAY in their involvement.

> The American Red Cross and the ARRL will inform their chapters, members, other units or departments, and administrative offices of, and otherwise widely distribute, this agreement and will urge full cooperation with each other.

As an aside, I wonder how many know of this document.  I suspect not 
many, given the cry from the HAMS regarding the ARC background check issue.

> http://www.arrl.org/announce/ARRL-ARC-bg-check.html
is the position statement issued by the League.

> Representatives of the American Red Cross Disaster Services and the ARRL will, on an annual basis, on or around the anniversary date of this agreement, jointly evaluate progress in the implementation of the Statement of Understanding and revise and develop new plans or goals as appropriate.

The annual review is coming up in September.  The review month is this 
month.  I will be interested in seeing what the League and National 
conclude or if the document will terminate this year.

For the ARC and the League, I hope it's extended while, at the same 
time, improved.



-- 

Lloyd Colston       Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK             http://mayescem.us
"The President can make you a general, but only communications
can make you a commander."  General Curtis LeMay
	http://lloyd.colston.com