TO: ALL WEST VIRGINIA ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM WV SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 10.51 DATE: December 12, 2010
SUBJECT: OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT
Operating radio equipment in an emergency is like operating a Fire Truck for a Volunteer Fire Department. You shouldn't operate it unless you have received a certain amount of training or experience on that piece of equipment. Knowing your equipment capabilities directly affects your assistance in an emergency or disaster.
If you were the Officer in Charge of a disaster scene, who would you rather have helping you? Someone who has never had training in the operation or capabilities of the equipment they will be using, or, someone who is trained and experienced in the operation and capabilities of the particular equipment. That's a simple answer. When the person in charge needs help, he would rather have someone seasoned and experienced, rather than a beginner who needs to be trained on the spot. You can be an asset to the Officer In Charge if you take the time to learn the equipment you may be exposed to and how to use it, before your assistance is needed.
This includes any type of equipment you may have to operate, not just your own personal equipment. As an ARES or RACES member, this includes any communications equipment which may be set up and used in different locations throughout the area. For instance, at the Hospitals, Red Cross Head Quarters, Red Cross Shelters, the Emergency Operations Center, and Communications Vehicles. In some instances, ARES and RACES personnel may have to operate Public Safety Radios at different locations, along with different amateur radio equipment. So find out where you may have to operate, and participate in as many drills and events as possible. This will familiarize you with various types of equipment and operations before your expertise are necessary.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV