[KYHAM] KEN Training For Jan. 27: Proper Authorization for Response

[Ron Dodson]

Let's face it, the main reason any of us ever became
involved in any type of an emergency preparedness or
response group was most likely; TO HELP!  As responders, the
well-being of the victims of emergency events and disasters
should be paramount in our justification for ever getting
involved in the first place.

In our zeal to be of service and to "HELP", we must never
loose sight of the fact that we are not "Lone Ranger" type
individuals who go off on our own and try to make the world
safer/better, solo.  We need to work as a team effort with
other agencies and groups who are also a part of the 'big
picture' of emergency and disaster response. This means that
as amateurs involved in ARES or RACES, we must have some
type of authorizing mechanism in place to validate our
response.  

In Section 4.1 of the Kentucky Emergency Response Reference
we find in the third and fourth paragraphs the following:
-------------------
When a served agency needs our assistance, they usually
alert designated amateur radio operators who are members of
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Typically, this is the
local Emergency Coordinator who has registered himself and
other amateurs IN ADVANCE with the agencies seeking help.

Once called in by the served agency, the EC (or designated
amateur) should notify the District Emergency Coordinator.
The DEC will then notify the Section Emergency Coordinator,
who in turn will notify the Section Manager. Use only enough
operators to get the situation under control.

-----------------

Such a request should contain some specific information
(see earlier KEN Training Topic "Planning Information in a
Response" 
http://www.qsl.net/kd4pwl/docs/planinfo.pdf ) for an
appropriate response to be mounted on our part.

While there is nothing wrong with activating a "Stand By
Net" to gather resources for an impending situation, actual
response and movement of personnel should be authorized by
someone WITH THE AUTHORITY to do so.

What brings this to mind is a situation which occurred
earlier this week as snow made roads slick and hazardous. 
In this community I am talking about there is an individual
with an amateur radio license who has a grudge against the
local EC and his ARES group.  On one night in the middle of
the poor road conditions, this person attempted over the
radio, to lure members of the group into making a response
to "transport hospital workers to and from work" under the
grounds that ARES should be "helping their community" by
doing this.  Luckily, the group was familiar with the person
and disregarded his pleas as he had no authority to make
such a request and they knew it.  This may not always be the
case.  Any time someone makes a request for assistance, be
sure they have the power to represent the requesting agency
and verify this if you have ANY QUESTION of the authenticity
of the request through other sources such as local EM
organizations before responding.  If it is a legitimate
request and the agency needs help that you are qualified to
provide, fine.  
Always think before you act.  This group did just that and I
imagine saved themselves a great deal of embarrassment by
doing so. In this world there are people with good intent
and bad intent.  Sometimes, BOTH can get us into a lot of
trouble and damage reputations it can take a long time to
rebuild. 

Always authenticate any request for a response before making
one.