TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 09.06 DATE: February 8, 2009
SUBJECT: WRITE IT CLEARLY
When filling out any form, or taking down a message or traffic, be sure to write it down clearly.
You may be able to read your own hand writing, but that doesn't mean everyone else can. Have you ever tried to read your own hand writing or printing after it has gotten cold?
There are times when it's necessary to scribble something down, but be sure to correct it as soon as possible. Sometimes messages are sent too fast and you have to write fast to be sure an get it. If the message comes at you too fast, get what you can and then ask to have to the message repeated if necessary. It might be a very important message, and you want to make sure that it is right.
If you are filling out a form, take your time and do it right the first time. The form you are filling out might be real important to yourself, such as a medical form. I'm sure you wouldn't want a doctor to be giving you the wrong medicine.
A lot of letters and/or numbers look like each other. To name just a few that are the worst letters/numbers are a "U" and "V", "4" and "9", double "t" (tt) looks like an "H", the small "g" looks like a "9", "i" and "j". I'm sure you know what I mean.
Take your time and do it right. You may be the person that takes a very important message, and you don't want to be the one who screws it up.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator