[ARRL-OK] More on MRC net

[Lloyd Colston]

Kostiuk, Ed M. wrote:

>
>I understand the need not to create another system but for deployment purposes and as a State Agency under EMAC I cannot deploy anyone unless they fall under a program that we fund (meaning MRC). All other groups would be on their own for deployment purposes. As 
>
I understand, Ed, and agree completely.  In fact, I've been saying that 
for years now.  I can't send a resource I don't have.  I don't have a 
resource that has not enrolled in Mayes County RACES program.  I can't 
insure someone who's not willing to play with me.  Thankfully, about a 
third of this County EM roster is comprised of amateur radio operators.

Mark,

What you are proposing is good.  However, it is premature.  You, first, 
have to build the team and then decide the technology necessary to make 
the team valuable to the served Agency (changes from deployment to 
deployment).

It's like saying ALL Ford drivers may enroll in the program.  That cuts 
out Chevy drivers like me.  What Medical Reserve Corp and the State 
Health Department is asking for is ALL car drivers to enroll in the 
program.  Change all references from cars to amateur radios and drivers 
to amateur radio operators to complete the analogy.

THEN the team can work on a cache of equipment needed to deploy with the 
team.  It will be the team that will use the cache.  It should be the 
team, in partnership with the served Jurisdiction, that decides what 
communications needs there are and what solutions need to be sent to 
meet the need.

BTW, I am getting feedback from other jurisdictions who are in the 
process of doing what Mayes County has done, i.e. upgraded the amateur 
radio equipment owned by local government.  It is hopeful that State 
Health can fund some or part of the equipment needs.  Perhaps we can 
attract funding from the League and a number of other grantees, ex. 
amateur radio manufacturers.

However, it all starts with HAMS signing up for the program and help 
move the mission through deciding what equipment to send/take to 
actually going.

Definitions:   EMAC = Emergency Management Assistance Compact ... this 
is a document signed by the States that works like mutual aid 
agreements.  For example, if Mississippi needs bandaids, they ask 
through EMAC.  Tennessee fills the need for all or part of the bandaid 
needs through EMAC.

MRC = Medical Reserve Corps ... under the umbrella of Citizen Corps 
(http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs) ... a government program that 
includes oversight of Community Emergency Response Teams, MRC, 
Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Fire Corps, etc.  
Medical Reserve Corp was, initially, for retired doctors and nurses to 
become a pool of trained medical reservists.  As you have seen, the MRC 
has deployed folks from OK to MS, LA, and Gruber.  In fact, this weekend 
MRC volunteers are helping at a flu shot clinic in Tulsa County.  In 
other words, it's not just for retirees.

Let me know how more I can help.

-- 


Lloyd Colston             Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK USA           http://www.mayescem.us

"The President can make you a general, but only communications 
can make you a commander."  General Curtis LeMay