[MRIC] Fwd: [mcm_leadership] Re: Call for MCM volunteers

[Dan Blasberg]

Please give this the widest possible distribution to your groups.   
This is a great opportunity to actually participate in an event that  
is run under NIMS standards and a unified command, both at the Marine  
Corps and amateur radio level.

Dan Blasberg
KA8YPY
Prince George's County RACES RO
Prince George's County ARES EC

Begin forwarded message:
>
>
>
> LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD
> MARINE CORPS MARATHON VOLUNTEERS
>
>
>
> WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHAT TO EXPECT, WHAT YOU'LL NEED, AND HOW TO SIGN  
> UP.
>
> (14 July 2010, Washington, D.C.) Amateur Radio volunteers are still  
> needed for the Marine Corps Marathon.  For 32 years Amateur Radio  
> supported the Marines and, specifically, the U.S. Navy Medical  
> commanders, to link their aid stations and to be "eyes and ears" on  
> the 26.2-mile course.
>
> Ham sign-up for the 35th running of the MCM opened the first part of  
> June.  But with year-over-year success for Amateur Radio has come  
> increased responsibilities in race operations.  Meeting those  
> responsibilities drives the need for better preparation and training  
> of volunteers; the time needed for preparation pushes the sign-up  
> schedule.
>
> We need to finish the initial sign-ups by the end of August to  
> assure the ability to complete training and practice before the  
> Marathon.  That is why we are asking, if you are interested, to sign  
> up now.
>
>
> THE RACE
>
> The mid-Atlantic region is fortunate to host one of the world's  
> elite marathons.  Last year MCM was fourth largest in the nation and  
> eighth largest in the world.  But it's more than size; runners want  
> to be here:  This year the MCM sold out its 30,000 runner slots in  
> less than six days.
>
> The MCM is a first-class volunteer public service event.  As we all  
> know, recognition and appreciation is essential in public service  
> volunteering.  The standing appreciation was never clearer than  
> before the 2007 race, when the Marine Corps Marathon named the  
> Amateur Radio Service for the Volunteer Group of the Year Award for  
> its service since 1987.  It also singled out Rick Bunn N4ASX and Tom  
> Azlin N4ZPT for the duration and extent of their contribution to Ham  
> radio's participation at the MCM.
>
> The MCM is a unique opportunity to practice and learn emergency  
> communications skills.  The scope of unified operations of multiple  
> Federal, military, state, and local jurisdictions is broader than  
> most exercises will ever be.  Volunteering for the MCM gives you  
> emergency communications practice and training, in a best-practice  
> incident management environment, on a real event, and more, that you  
> can't get anywhere else.
>
> The relationship between Amateur Radio and the U.S. Navy has become  
> so strong that when the Amateur Radio leadership conducts its main  
> pre-race briefing--on a weekend--the Navy's senior medical  
> commanders and senior aid make time to attend and to personally  
> brief Amateur Radio.  In recent years, Navy and Marine leadership  
> have come to us for technical help on communications issues.
>
> The MCM offers its volunteers the enjoyment of giving valued and  
> recognized public service, and it offers the challenge of  
> outstanding emergency communications practice.  Whether it's one or  
> the other or both for you, you're cordially invited to help.
>
>
> WHAT YOU'LL NEED
>
> What will you need?  Whether bringing radios or not, you will need  
> to plan.  You will probably arrive to the check-in point at about  
> 0300.  From there, you will go to your assigned location and set up  
> by or before 0700.  Security is high; some assignments are earlier  
> because they are in areas that lock down earlier.  We go, regardless  
> of weather, so follow forecasts and dress appropriately.  There are  
> port-a-johns on the course but not necessarily near every assigned  
> position.  If you need easy access, let your team lead know.
>
> Most activity starts to wind down between 1300 and 1500.  Assume you  
> leave your home at 0100; when the race is over you will have been  
> volunteering for 12 hours.  If you want to realistically plan for an  
> emergency, where Amateur Radio might be needed several hours beyond  
> the end of the race, you could assume it might be 24 hours before  
> you return home.  More likely, periods of heavy, almost continuous  
> operation deplete batteries faster than normal operations simply  
> projected over a 24-hour period.  Thus, while it is not mandatory,  
> you will hear suggestions to be prepared to "operate 24 hours" or to  
> have a "24-hour go kit", and that is why.
>
> For most of the positions, you'll need a mobile radio, an antenna, a  
> mast, and battery power with a goal of 24-hour operation if  
> necessary.  There are a few exceptions where an HT has been used in  
> the past.  There are also exceptions for the handful of net control  
> operators who usually will not be operating their own radios.
>
> You'll need personal supplies to support and nourish yourself.  The  
> race provides a box lunch; the quantity and quality is usually okay  
> but can not be predicted so please bring some back up food.
>
> For volunteers assigned to specialized positions, some will need to  
> bring D-Star voice and data, some will need APRS, others will need  
> 9600 Baud packet with a Windows, Linux, or Mac laptop that can run  
> for 24 hours.  Your team lead will provide specific requirements for  
> each position on your team.
>
>
> EXPERIENCED NET CONTROLS WANTED
>
> Currently there is a need for experienced net control operators.   
> Experienced means you have worked high-traffic public service nets,  
> are familiar with running such a net, and have demonstrated  
> flexibility to calmly handle the stress that results from a fluid,  
> complex workload.  For example, it is possible for a number of  
> runners to become injured at about the same time.  The NCS will have  
> to prioritize and manage traffic from multiple personnel.  If you  
> are an experienced net control operator, please consider helping.
>
>  SIGNING UP
>
> Although MCM race day is 31 October, the size of the event, and the  
> remarkable increase of Amateur Radio's roles, require about 140  
> volunteer positions, and require all these positions to be assigned  
> by 31 August.  This aggressive timeline allows team leads to prepare  
> and train their teams to fulfill the requirements of the overall MCM  
> operational plan.
>
> Monday 11 October is the Aid Station operations readiness exercise.
>
> Saturday 23 October is the All Hands Meeting, location to be  
> announced but usually the Armed Forces Retirement Home.  You can  
> meet your team leads, representatives of served agencies, and the  
> key Navy medical commanders.  You can network face-to-face with the  
> other Hams who will be working the race with you.  More than three- 
> quarters of the operators attend this meeting.
>
> How do you sign up?  You sign up by completing two forms.  The first  
> step is to go here:
>
> http://ncacdc.com/
>
> Follow directions, and the link to the Marine Corps Web site.   
> Complete the Marine form.
>
> After you complete and submit the Marine form, wait for the e-mail  
> the Marine Corps Web site will send you confirming your successful  
> completion of the Marine form.  The confirming e-mail will include  
> another link.
>
> The second step is to follow the link in the confirming e-mail, to  
> the Amateur Radio form.  The Amateur Radio form lets you tell us  
> what you will bring with you on race day:  The radios, the car, the  
> gear, the cell phone you will have--on race day.
>
> After you complete and submit the Amateur Radio form, note and keep  
> its URL link, so that you can you can return to it and update the  
> form later with any changes.
>
> ABOUT THE NCACDC
>
> NCACDC, The National Capital Amateur Council, District of Columbia,  
> are representatives of Amateur Radio emergency communications  
> organizations including the American Radio Relay League's ARES(R),  
> as well as the state, local, and municipal jurisdictions' RACES  
> programs in the National Capital Region.  NCACDC works to improve  
> mutual aid for its members, maintaining coordination and  
> facilitating communication among regional volunteer emergency  
> communications groups and activities.  A standing committee of  
> NCACDC participants functions as the leadership group for Amateur  
> Radio's participation in the Marine Corps Marathon.  See ncacdc.com.
>
> William Hatfield W3QX
> w3qx at qsl.net
>
> Jim Cross WI3N
> wi3n at arrl.org
>
> ###
> -----end-copy-----
>
>
>
>
>
>
> end
>
>
>
>
>
> __._,_.___
>
>
> Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
> Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
> Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch  
> to Fully Featured
> Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
>
> __,_._,___