[KYHAM] Amateur Radio And The Next Step

[Ron Dodson]

Below is an open letter to the amateurs of the Kentucky Section from our
Section Manager, NB4K and myself. In the days ahead, we will attempt to
answer any questions ort concerns that the section may have concerning
these developments with Ky Office of Homeland Security.

73, 
Ron, KA4MAP

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As the New Year has come so does the need for Amateur Radio operators to
take the next step. In this article, I will be using information
gathered from Federal Fiscal Year 2005 NIMS Requirements e-mail the
first week of January '06 put out by Thomas H. Arnold, Director of
Training Programs and State National Incident Management System
Compliance Office. I will have the article in its entirety on the
Kentucky ARRL web page and will ask Pat Spencer, KD4PWL to put it on
KyHam. 

Amateur Radio is now considered a first responder in Kentucky.
Therefore, incorporating NIMS requirements have to be met. We need to
promote intrastate mutual aid agreements. Coordinating and providing
technical assistance to local entities (of which Amateur Radio is a
part) regarding NIMS, it also identifies how compliant our agency is.
This tool is available currently at www.NIMSonline.com and should be
used immediately to measure your agency's compliance, institutionalizing
the use of Incident Command System (ICS).  We must be consistent with
concepts and principles taught by the Department of Homeland Security.

Preparedness and training is something that we as hams have prided
ourselves on for many years. Just think back at how you felt when you
took your first ham test and were either notified by mail from the FCC
that you passed or by a VE team, what a feeling. So, think about the
feeling you'll have when you complete the following IS-700 training
program by September 30, 2006 from F.E.M.A. web site
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp. Additional training
needed is IS-800, which is part of your ongoing training program for new
employees, recruits and first responders by September 30, 2006
(Emergency managers or personnel whose primary responsibility is
emergency management must complete the IS-800). Then complete the
training with ICS 100 and 200 by September 30, from the same website as
listed earlier. The IS-800 is at this time the way I read is optional
except for those organizations that are 501(C)(3) and expect to receive
monies from KyDHS. Unfortunately, if we plan on being used or expect to
be used by Emergency Management or any of the other served agencies then
this training is a must. At the time of the writing of this article I am
awaiting an answer from Ky Homeland Security Office
(KyDHS) to see whether or not we will be required to have a Weapon of
Mass Destruction (WMD) class and when the state plans on starting the
courses for us at their cost. This might only be required if your
organization receives money directly from KyDHS.

We can thank the terrorist attacks of 2001 for our additional training.
Of course those of us living close to bordering states will hear how
different the training avenues might be. To the point that they (the
bordering state) will require something different than us here in
Kentucky. All I can say to that is this is what Kentucky has decided
what the Federal Office Of Homeland Security wants and that is how they
are going to do it. We cannot worry about how another state has decided
to interpret the meaning of the Federal Government. We have to go by
what Kentucky wants and expects form the first responders.

What it all boils down to is loss of Federal Funds. A city, county or
state that is not compliant or using first responders that are not
compliant stand a chance of losing federal dollars, grants or both.
Simply put, we either do it or we're not going to be part of the
equation. So, let us take the bull by the horn and do what we can to
become compliant. Is there a chance for an extension of the projected
time, possible? How many of you think that each city, county or the
state will have everyone in their government circle, much less their
employees and first responders compliant by 1 Oct 06? But let us not be
the nut that the bolt is waiting for. Go for it and make a believer out
of everyone.

Thanks, 73 John D. Meyers, NB4K, Kentucky Section Manager, Great Lakes
Division Ron Dodson, KA4MAP, Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator

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ARRL Kentucky Section
Section Manager: John D. Meyers, NB4K
nb4k at arrl.org