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 09.41 DATE: October 11, 2009
SUBJECT: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL YOUR FACILITIES
When you're involved with Emergency Communications you should take advantage of everything that you have available to you.
If you are holding a drill or an exercise of some kind, take advantage of the people who are participating and have them use any expertise they may have. This will allow them to practice and become more proficient.
If you, or your group, are participating with another group in some kind of event, it will allow the members of all groups involved learn what may be available in an actual emergency or disaster.
If your communications group has a Mutual Aid Agreement or Memorandum Of Understanding with a city, county, or state Public Safety agency, then you may be able to use their communication facilities to cover areas that your system may be lacking. This will also allow you to see how their facilities work, and they will know more about you. You will also become more acquainted with them and their procedures.
As Amateur Radio Operators, it's not illegal to operate on Public Safety Radios, as long as you are using one of their radios, or one that has been FCC Type Accepted for that system. It's not illegal if you accidently clear off by giving your Amateur Call Sign, but try not to do it. Public Safety agencies have their own procedures for identification.
The more you find out what facilities are available, the more you will be able to help when disasters strike.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator