[WARC] WARC DEV COMMITTEE -- Meeting Focus Topic

[Walt Kelly]

Hi everyone,

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Thanks for putting this forum together! This has a good potential for
positive results. I am sorry I was not available for the introductory
session, but I have done a quick read of the initial posts to get a flavor,
so maybe Jim's post here is a good starting point.

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Just for background, I first got started in ham radio emergency
communications in 1965 and have been active in Winona County emergency
communications since the late '80s and have been attending the monthly
Emergency Management Coordinating Committee meetings since 1995.

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Although WARC has had relationships with Emergency Management and the Red
Cross for many years, those relationships are in need of both attention and
re-definition. Situations have changed, people have changed, needs have
changed, perceptions have changed.

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Let's look at SkyWarn briefly. In the late 90s WARC fielded well-trained
spotters to lots of healthy storms. The past five or so years we haven't had
more than a few good storms, and with many "just-in-case" callouts, interest
has waned. There were a number of times last year that no one responded to
Bob's requests for spotters, me included. Since Bob is the responsible
person, he has to be keenly aware of who he can rely on. We need to have a
mutually-agreeable relationship that involves spotters, people trained and
effective at the LEC, and both groups trusting that if they are called away
from their regular work, that they are really needed.

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The Red Cross has changed a bit. Sue Hutson has been retired for some time.
Her replacement recently resigned and a new person came to the February
meeting. Since the 2003 drill, the Red Cross has been using the general
radio service type radios for their internal short-range communication.
Discussions about how WARC can be of use came down to two areas: 1)
Communication with other groups they don't normally talk (radio links) to;
and 2) Data transmissions related to mass-casualty events that involve
evacuations. It was felt that realistically, victims of an incident would be
at the hospital long before hams could set up a communications system to
give the hospital information on incoming patients. However, keeping track
of people who go from incident site to shelters, transfers between shelters,
medical facility to shelter, need for supplies, etc. would be something we
are uniquely able to do.

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Public Health and the Fire Department are fully counting on us to be there
to do "whatever." I think we don't have to sell ourselves, our "customers"
are already sold on our capability, but we do have to be sure our "product
line" is in line with the current purchasing department requirements and
that we can deliver the merchandise in a timely manner.

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That said, Winona County will be holding a drill in late summer involving a
train derailment in the WSU area that will involve all local response
agencies including WARC. Bob and I have discussed the need for WARC people
to get some training prior to the event on what is expected of us, a chance
to meet and interact with those people so we have relationships and a fairly
clear expectation of results.

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Please keep in mind that in these days, there are far more governmental
regulations =96 from paperwork to procedures to restrictions =96 that have =
to be
observed. Many of these are contradictory among themselves and
counterproductive in terms of efficiency or effectiveness. It ain't simple
anymore.

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I am open (VERY open) to additional participation from WARC members on the
EMCC. Any volunteers?

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Walt

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From: warc-bounces at lists.w0ne.org [mailto:warc-bounces at lists.w0ne.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Brown
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 7:45 PM
To: 'Winona Amateur Radio Club general discussion'
Subject: RE: [WARC] WARC DEV COMMITTEE -- Meeting Focus Topic

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WARC needs to develop a relationship with Emergency Management and Red Cross
to find out where they fit in. If Emergency Management isn't receptive they
could deal directly with the Sheriff.He has shown an interest in the past.

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Jim =


N=D8WE

-----Original Message-----
From: warc-bounces at lists.w0ne.org [mailto:warc-bounces at lists.w0ne.org] On
Behalf Of Len Litvan
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 7:16 PM
To: Winona Amateur Radio Club general discussion
Subject: [WARC] WARC DEV COMMITTEE -- Meeting Focus Topic

Hi All,

Here is the first of four purposes of WARC from the by-laws.  This could be
the focal point of our efforts this week--how can we fulfill this purpose so
that it is as meaningful and valuable as possible to local hams (and
others)?

The purpose of this club, hereafter referred to as the WARC, is: =

1. to promote the Amateur Radio Service in the community as a source of
trained communications volunteers and communication equipment that can be
utilized during civil and natural emergencies. =


73,
Len KC0RSX

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