TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA (INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.47 DATE: November 25, 2007
SUBJECT: Who will operate the equipment?
In a large disaster or exercise, there could be a lot of communications equipment brought in to help with the event. When the equipment arrives, will there be enough operators to provide the needed communications? I don't know. It's possible the group, or groups, who will bring the equipment to a disaster or drill, will also bring the operators that will be needed. What happens if the group, or groups, just brings the equipment but no operators, who will operate their equipment? They may be hoping there well are some local radio operators who will help them provide the needed communications. Since most Amateur Radio operators know how to communicate by radio they would be the most likely candidates. The only thing that most of them would have to learn is how to set up the communications equipment. In most cases the person, or persons, bringing the equipment will be able to set it up, and show you how to use it. By using local communications people could make their job easier. The local people will know the layout of the area they are in, and that can help when it comes to giving instructions to someone over the air. Instead of having to give the communicator the information, and then have them relay it over the air, local communicators could do it direct. If the time ever comes that you may be needed as a communicator with some one else's communications equipment, step up and volunteer your services. You may be a better communicator than you think.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3