[KYHAM] KEN TRAINING for June 23: Information For A Response

[Ron Dodson]

Quite sometime back, we did a KEN segment on the information

needed to adequately plan/make a response to assist any

agency in need of our assistance.  As this was a good while

in the past, I again will re-run this material.

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Whenever anyone gets a request for assistance most of the

time they will get some straight answers or requests up

front from the served agency making the call for aid.  



Sometimes this is not always the case.  Whether it is a

request to an individual ham, a local EC or DEC or even a

message to me, the Section Emergency Coordinator, we want to

do our best and provide the service required in a

professional manner. To do this, we need certain info.  

Here is a summary of some things to ask for if you did not

get the full "scoop" straight out from the requesting party.



1.  Agency requesting assistance??? (EM, ARC, Salvation Army

Bapt. Brotherhood etc.) 



2. A Point of Contact or "POC". Name, title, phone and radio

frequency(s) if appropriate.



3. What type of aid is requested? (Manpower only, what type

of equipment, HF/VHF/UHF, MCP capability?  The mission to be

undertaken? Is Special Training required of volunteers?

There is a huge difference from one situation to another and

all hams are not created equal with regard to training,

licensing and physical ability.)



4. How much?  (Saying 'Some' or 'a few' can be 2-25 or more)

Get real numbers.  Many times hams will take off from work

to assist in a disaster situation.  We don't need to send 30

if 10 will do. In this case, the other 20 could have gone

about their affairs and waited until tomorrow if they were

needed as relief op's. Likewise, we sure don't want only 4

sent if 20 are needed to do the job right.



5. Where do they report to and at what time. Don't forget,

Ky has two time zones! Again, that POC info in # 2 is handy.



6. Any directions to the area or hazards/detours to be

observant of in responding.



Any other info you feel appropriate.