[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

[Ron Wetjen]

Just a few more comments on the current discussion.

Keith Kotch wrote:

> Earlier this year we proved to be a valuable resource to the
> Sanford-Orlando Airport during their tri-annual FAA review.  But again,
> it was utilizing our Amateur Radio skills and equipment.
> 
> It did allow us to bring to the table a resource they had not had before
> and impressed both the airport fire department and the FAA observer and
> the local hospitals.

And that's one of the important things ... exposure!  If you can show 
folks what you can do and do it in a professional manner, they will take 
notice.  The next time something comes up, someone will remember your 
efforts and ask you to help again ... and will eventually ask you to 
help more often and assume more responsibility.

When Sarasota now plans a drill, they don't even ask us to participate 
anymore - they already include Amateur Radio operators as a vital part 
of their planning and expect us to be there ... either to act as 
"communicators" using our equipment, setting up equipment to support 
their communications, or sometimes both - depending on what's required 
and what the county wants to "test".

 > I can't say enough how blessed we are in Seminole County with our
 > acceptance in the Counties Emergency Management Department and Dept of
 > Public Safety and the response and respect we get from our other city
 > government agencies.  It's just that we've settled into that
 > comfortable "married life" situation.
 >
 > I guess there's a lot to be said for having a good working
 > relationship already and that we're not having to fight battles in
 > order to exist.

And that's one of the toughest things to do ... get your foot in the 
door.  There's not a "one size fit's all" type of solution to this 
problem.  Some counties are more responsive than others.  It just takes 
work and patience ... and a chance to "show our stuff"!

Evans Mitchell wrote:

 > Overall I have to say that Polk County has made a right hand turn
 > towards the HAMS in Polk and has said, see all this stuff you can
 > use?? Come help us and we can help you....

And that's what happened here in Sarasota.  My "boss" at the county used 
to ask me, "What can you do for us?".  All we needed was an opportunity 
to show them what we could do, and once we did that ... things took off!

Evans, what happened in Polk County to make them sit up and finally take 
notice of the Amateurs?

Finally, Keith wrote:

 > Our "jealousy" can lead to some healthy "competition" among all our
 > ARES groups to spur us on towards improvements and growth.
 >
 > I wish we had more stories like yours and Ron's posted here to
 > help each of us learn more about growing our EMCOMM service and
 > brainstorming ideas.

That was my intention of starting this list ... to discuss what each of 
us are doing and to share ideas with each other in order to help make 
each of our EMCOMM groups stronger and more important.

While it may seem like some groups may be bragging or "tooting our own 
horns" ... maybe we are!  So what?  We're using it to show what's 
possible with some hard work and dedication and to give others a gentle 
kick in the pants to wake up and do the same!

As I said earlier, there is no "one size fit's all" type of solution. 
One of my other "projects", is to finally sit down and write an article 
or put together a Web page of ideas folks can use to get their EMCOMM 
programs up to the level of Seminole, Sarasota, Polk, and the few 
others, that have a great working relationship with their EM folks. 
With that in mind, I'd like to hear from those folks who have an active 
EMCOMM program and a good working relationship with the EM folks to 
collect some information to be included in this project.

Thanks, Ron  WD4AHZ