TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 21.30 DATE: July 25, 2021
SUBJECT: WHY CROSS TRAIN?
Cross training is necessary for a few good reasons. As with most volunteer organizations, there's never enough people to go around. Cross training doesn't mean you're going to change the type of volunteer work that you're doing. It just means that you're going to learn a little bit about what other groups do on a regular basis.
Cross training allows you to see what other groups have to do and it lets you help out if they are short handed. It allows you to have a better understanding of their equipment and the lingo they use so you'll know what they want and need when they call for it.
At the same time that you're learning what others do, they are learning who and what you are. They will know who is on the other end of the radio or telephone, and learn to trust the communications that you may be providing for them. You might even be able to give them some ideas on making their jobs easier, and vice verse.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV