[ARRL-OK] More on MRC net

Fri Oct 21 21:01:53 EDT 2005

Ed, I understand and agree.  This is a great discussion!

There is a NEED... a big need.  HAM radio works in a disaster area because
each operator is his/her own base.

The big challange is 650,000 hams in USA, bit only a few thousand really
come out to WORK emergencies.  Here in Oklahoma at Camp Gruber hams
provide communication support on the base and at Red Cross EOC in Tulsa.
9000 hams in OK and we only had 80 volunteers who came out the help. (I
know other groups have the same issue.)

Many sited job/work would not let them go... some used vacation time.

You are so right that the medical responders should not be on the radio.
But there are support personal,, truck drivers, etc...

A system like WinLink 2000 is digital and it looks and feels like e-mail.
Your team could send e-mail back to any where (i.e. message gets sent to
Winlink 2000 ham set up at state EOC, who in-turn forwards the e-mail to a
home e-mail... and the reverse could happen. Family sends e-mail for folks
in the field via the EOC.)

You leave the system up and on and check it every once in a while.

WinLink 2000 would help many in OK and around the country. For community
and goverment groups that would benefit inding a way to fund it would help
get it on the air here, and in more local locations in the US.

I also understand Lloyds point the it's hard to "cover" volunteers that
will not sign up. Ok... many have already signed up as part of ARES
Amareur Radio Emergency Service.  We are and will be working with Citizen
Corp to have ARES members ID, and trained in the NIMS system.

ARES needs to get a bit tighter... and I think Ok ARES is planning on
doing just that.  But EM's, or other groups forming their own ham groups
only helps their group, since most of the strong responders move away from
the volunteer ranks and sign up with a Goverment sponsored programs. Why,
bigger and newer toys.

Funding to build a system and a goverment run system is diffrent.

I don't disagree with many of your point... and agree there is a need.
But some of what you want already is out there.

We'll have to see if we can get some interested folks together all at one
time.

Mark Conklin, N7XYO

> Let me follow up with my needs. I understand I can train and possible get
> licenses for nurses and doctors. However, the bottom line truth is they
> don't have time to take a radio and talk. They can "dictate" to someone
> what their needs are but I want professionals on the line with them when
> they are telling others and me at the Health Dept EOC what is needed. I
> want that same expertise in my EOC taking those messages and letting us
> know what is going on.
>
> After 30 plus years in this business, (EM field) I still don't have my
> license. Why you may ask? Because in the field and on disasters I'm just
> way to busy doing management or Search and Rescue to handle a radio. Do I
> want a professional HAMS beside me? Hell yes. I need you folks and want
> you there to do your thing when it's needed.
>
> Even if I got my ticket I would leave that communication device in the CP
> most of the time and still take someone that can talk for me in the field.
> On vehicle crashes, I always grab someone that has a cell and have them
> call in vitals and other important data for me. I'm in the middle of blood
> and guts and really don't have time to talk.
>
> It becomes a team concept on disasters or on an emergency operation. Plus
> trying to save a patient, or trying to explain everything that is going on
> around you can also convey the wrong message. By having someone next to me
> is a big help. One final point, do I want to trust Doctors and Nurses on
> handling a basic HAM radio?....NO
>
> Ed
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lloyd Colston [mailto:kc5fm at ureach.com]
> Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 12:53 PM
> To: ARRL-ok List
> Subject: Re: [ARRL-OK] More on MRC net
>
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________
> ___________________ Information __________________________
> ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager - John Thomason, WB5SYT wb5syt at arrl.org
> Oklahoma Section Web page http://www.qsl.net/wb5syt/index.html
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
>
> ARRL-OK mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/arrl-ok
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
> Post: mailto:ARRL-OK at mailman.qth.net
>