[PPRAANet] Some updates from Pikes Peak ARES PIO

[John Bloodgood]

Just got some more information from the ARRL regarding the "Public Service" controversy, directly from the source:  "nothing about ARES is changing; name, mission, field appointments, etc. are all staying the same." -- Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager
 
So, if you heard from Ham Nation, Gordon West, or others about ARES being renamed and badges, patches, etc being no good anymore, please disregard it.  
 
If there were going to be a change to ARES, you probably would have heard something via official channels, in other words the Colorado Section, Region 2, or Pikes Peak ARES/R2D2 ECs. 
 
I suspect that KI1U will be sending out more info to try to clear up any confusion and correct any rumors.  I will post his entire statement on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PikesPeakARES .  Remember, you do not need to be a part of Facebook to see this.  If anything else comes down the PIO pipeline, I will pass it along.
 
v/r
 
John Bloodgood, KD0SFY
PIO -- Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES
 
From: johnbloodgood at hotmail.com
To: ppares at mailman.qth.net; ppraanet at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Some updates from Pikes Peak ARES PIO
Date: Sat, 24 May 2014 15:23:41 -0600




Colorado HB14-1216, marking towers over 50 ft tall:  The latest status I have on this is that it has been sent to the Governor, but it has not been signed.  Pretty sure bet that it will become law.  Keep in mind this only affects some people who live in unincorporated areas.  Everything you might want to see can be found at http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2014A/cslFrontPages.nsf/HomeSplash?OpenForm .   
 
The change to "Public Service":  I have gotten a few questions about this.  My understanding is what was stated in the June QST -- ARES will remain ARES.  Wherever you used to see "EmComm" or "Emergency Communications" in ARRL literature, you will now see "Public Service".  I know that some people have been saying ARES will become something else, maybe ARCS or some other acronym.  I have asked via the PIO chain that the ARRL get a clear message out via all channels as to what exactly is going to happen and clear up any confusion.
 
Region 1 is supporting a couple Denver CERT events.  One is June 21st for a rugby championship and another is July 26th for a CERT graduation.  Check-ins are appreciated.  Contact KC0MHT at msn.com 
 
There is a  new ARES member orientation on 14 June in Florence.  I will quote what I was sent: 
 
What: ARES NMTWhen: Saturday, June 14 2014, 0800 to 1200Where: Florence EOC – 600 W. 3rd Street, Florence, CO 81226 This ARES new member training has been designed to be district generic and emphasizes the information that a new ARES member needs to become an effective emergency communicator. Who should attend? The new ARES member or an ARES operator who hasn’t been through a NMT class. This training is also good for the experienced ARES operator who wants a refresher or who would like to fill any potential gaps in their training. Some of the topics covered are: - What is ARES and who do we serve?- What kind of equipment do I need and do I need to own a money tree to be an ARES operator?- How do I participate in an ARES Net and what is Net Control?- What’s a Go-Kit and what should it contain?- What can I expect when my ARES district is activated?-  How is ARES organized at the district, region and state levels?
 Please RSVP to Amanda, K1DDN amanda.alden at live.com. End quote Mission Coordinators:  A reminder to fill out the FSD-157 the  ARRL Public Service Activity Report after your event.  
 
The online form is at http://www.arrl.org/fsd-157-public-service-activity-report  and the PDF is at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/fsd157.pdf  .  Please send the same info to me as it is useful for press releases.   Speaking of press releases, if you do not get the ARES E-Letter in your email, go to http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2014-05-21 . Though none of the local news media picked up the story about the Falcon 50, I was able to get it picked up by the ARRL.   And finally, even if you don't have a Facebook account, if you get a chance, check out www.facebook.com/PikesPeakARES for pictures, news articles, and happenings.     v/r  John Bloodgood, KD0SFY PIO -- Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES