QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/races/1989.001

Text File | 1994-11-13 | 35KB | 637 lines

SUBJECT:  MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - PART 2
                            1 9 8 9

           S T A T E   R A C E S   B U L L E T I N S

TO:    ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES/OFFICES IN CALIFORNIA
INFO:  ALL RACES OPERATORS IN CA  (ALLCA:  OFFICIAL)
       ALL AMATEURS               (ALLUS:  INFORMATION)
FROM:  GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, SACRAMENTO  (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)

RACESBUL.046   SUBJECT:  MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - PART 2
Date:  Jan. 2, 1989
     Emergency communications and warning are the keys to
response, recovery and survival, and are indeed the fabric that
ties all our efforts together following any emergency or disaster
to save lives and reduce property damage.  Like all
jurisdictions, the state must maintain emergency communications
systems and provide plans and procedures for their maintenance
and use.  Our disaster services are based on the concept of
mutual aid as described above.
     In order to provide for a timely response to disasters,
statewide, with adequate command and control of the response
personnel and resources, two major communications categories have
been identified.  One is the WARNING effort which provides for
the exchange and dissemination of information regarding potential
emergencies on a continuing basis.  Currently, State OES has
direct hotline telephone contact with 50 states and 46 California
counties.  Alternate warning channels are available to all 58
counties by the microwave connected California Law Enforcement
Radio System (CLERS) and the California Law Enforcement Teletype
Systems (CLETS).  The warning objective is to disseminate warning
information to officials and the public within five to ten
minutes.                                          (continued)


RACESBUL.047  SUBJECT: MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - PART 3
Date: Jan. 9, 1989
     The second category is COMMUNICATION which will provide the
essential systems and hardware to exercise direction and control
for emergency response throughout the state.  The objectives of
this element are:
     - to provide communications for direction and control within
state government and to federal government emergency resources;
     - to provide communication channels for direction and
control from state to local government;
     - to assist local government in providing direction and
control within their jurisdictions;
     - to develop procedures for the utilization of
nongovernmental communication resources;
     - to develop systems and procedures to use the broadcast
industry for dissemination of warning and emergency public
information of all levels of government; and
     - to provide for the coordinated use of Amateur Radio
operators during periods of disasters.
     The latter is accomplished on a day-to-day basis by the
state and those county and city governments with units
established for that purpose -- the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES).  The RACES section is usually attached to a
local government's emergency preparedness office or to that
department it so delegates -- such as the sheriff, fire chief,
communications, etc.  A disaster does not have to be declared to
utilize or train the RACES personnel.  The RACES is, in effect,
the deputy communicator Amateur radio operators of and for that
local government.  They make provisions for the utilization of
non-RACES staff Amateurs in time of major need.
(Concluded)

RACESBUL.048    SUBJECT: STATE FIRE CHIEF BARROWS RETIRES   Date:
Jan. 16, 1989
     After a 40-year career in California's fire service, RICHARD
G. BARROWS, Chief, Fire and Rescue Division, Governor's Office of
Emergency Services, retired December 29, 1988.  His 18-year
tenure as Chief is one of the longest in California fire service
history.  His duties have included managing the California Fire
and Rescue Mutual Aid System, sometimes called "The World's
Largest Volunteer Fire Department" because its 1,200 local
component agencies can be sent anywhere in the state to help
other departments fight major fires.  "No other state in the
nation has such an extensive mutual aid system," Barrows says.
"We're proud of what we've developed through the years -- because
it works, and works well."
     One of Barrows' primary contributions to the fire services
came in 1970 after fires in Southern California burned almost
600,000 acres and destroyed more than 700 homes.  At that time he
became an active proponent and participant in FIRESCOPE, a
firefighting system which standardized maps, command structures,
terminology, and radio frequencies among hundreds of disparate
fire agencies within the state, providing for a more efficient
"team" approach to regional fire response.  The FIRESCOPE
technology is now extended statewide, as well as to other states
and other countries.
     During a 24-day period in 1985 a series of 2,547 fires began
all over the state, burning 453,143 acres and destroying 223
homes.  Fire crews from 48 states were brought in to assist
California crews in defeating the blazes and protecting homes.
More recently, in September 1988, Barrows dispatched California
fire crews to Wyoming to protect homes, lodges, and other
commercial structures in several Yellowstone National Park
communities.  In the winter of 1964-1965 Barrows directed the
largest peacetime airlift operation in the United States when
parts of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties were isolated by flood
waters.  In 1972 he traveled to Managua, Nicaragua, as part of a
special OES survey team.  His subsequent report detailed
considerations and recommendations for California earthquake
response planners.  Thirteen years later he arranged for heavy
rescue mutual aid support teams from the Sacramento and Los
Angeles areas to assist Mexico City after the catastrophic
September 1985 earthquake.

RACESBUL.049    SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF STATE RADIO OFFICER
Date: Jan. 23, 1989
     It is with pleasure that we announce the appointment of
TIMOTHY F. "Doc" NORDLAND, WB6MOQ, as the Deputy Chief State
Radio Officer (South), thereby filling a vacancy in our volunteer
staffing pattern.   NORDLAND's area of responsibility is the
State OES Regions 1 and 6 which are the counties of Imperial,
Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San
Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.  He will work
closely with this headquarters, Region 1 RACES Coordinator Don
Root (WB6UCK), Region 6 RACES Coordinator John Hudson (WA6HYQ),
and the various ARRL officials in these areas.  NORDLAND was
formerly the State OES Region 1 RACES Radio Officer.
     The individual State, county and city RACES programs
encompass those various governments' use of Amateur Radio
operators for emergency communications in support of their
emergency services/civil defense agencies.
Signed/Stanly E. Harter. KH6GBX, Chief State RACES Radio Officer
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

RACESBUL.050    SUBJECT: EXCELLENT COUNTY RACES NEWSLETTER Date:
Jan. 30, 1989
     For a copy of an excellent county newsletter of a reorganized and
revitalized RACES unit, send a SASE for the January 1989 "NET CONTROL" to:
          Ken Bourne, W6HK, RACES Radio Officer
          Orange County GSA/Communications Division
          1985 South Santa Cruz Street
          Anaheim, CA 92805

RACESBUL.051    SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM? Part 1
Date: FEb. 6, 1989
         WHAT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM?
                               by
         Chuck Wood, WD6APP, County RACES Radio Officer
              San Diego County Sheriff's Department
     Most people have no idea how their police and fire
departments communicate with the officers in the field.  As a
Radio Amateur you probably have much more knowledge about this
subject than the average citizen.  But do you really know what
goes on to protect the lives of our citizens?
     Many years ago the FCC allocated three frequency bands for
Public safety.  The first is commonly called Low Band and covers
30 to 50 MHz; the second, High Band, 150 to 174 MHz; and the
third, UHF, covers 450 to 512 MHz.  More recently the 800 MHz
Band has been allocated but we will only discuss the first three
in this article.
     Low Band is the best long range band and is in use in areas
that have large areas to cover because of its ability to curve
over hills and into valleys.  It requires less radio sites
because of this.  High Band is good for medium coverage areas and
is used in urban settings.  UHF is much better for metropolitan
coverage and has much better penetration in cities such as New
York, Chicago, etc., where there are tall buildings.
(Concluded in RACESBUL.052)

RACESBUL.052    SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM?  Part 2
Date: Feb. 13, 1989
     Most systems use receivers that are located in remote areas
and are designed to enhance the coverage of the system.  Since
the advent of small portable hand handhelds, this has become a
must.  Some cities, such as New York, use hand handhelds totally
and have no radios mounted in the cars.  This requires, at times,
as many as 20 to 30 receivers on a single frequency.  These
receivers are commonly linked back to the main dispatch via high
grade phone lines or via microwave which can carry hundreds of
voice circuits.  The City and County of San Diego each have such
microwave paths which are extensive and stretch for hundreds of
miles around the county and provide high quality radio coverage
for our Public Service Dispatchers.  If you compare this to the
Amateur Radio repeaters we are used to using, you can see that
even though our ham repeaters are good, think of how good they
would be with multiple receiving and transmitting sites.  This is
what is required so that your Public safety officers can pick up
their radios and get in at those critical times when lives are in
danger.

RACESBUL.053    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 1 OF 9    Date:
Feb. 20, 1989
         DISASTER/MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
                               by
        Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department
     The following list of seventy (70) "things to expect" is not
offered as a prediction of doom. Although most of the items are
negative, this is a realistic list of problem areas that we can
expect to face in a disaster.
     Recognizing that problems will appear and giving some
thought to them prior to a disaster are steps towards overcoming
them. Some of the areas require specific actions; some will
diminish with time; some are inherent in disaster operations and
must simply be accepted.
     Although not every one of the 70 listed items will occur in
every emergency, the majority of them will appear in most
situations. You are encouraged to scan the list, determine which
items are or may become your responsibility, and determine how
those items could best be handled or the problem reduced.
 1. In an earthquake, there may be violent ground shaking; it
will seem to last much longer than it actually does.
 2. Fires will occur, caused by electrical shorts, natural gas,
fireplaces, stoves, etc.
 3. Fires in collapsed buildings will be very difficult to control.

RACESBUL.054    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 2 OF 9
Date: Feb. 27, 1989
 4. The extent of the disaster will be difficult to assess,
though this will be necessary to assure proper commitment of
resources.
 5. Emergency equipment and field units will commit without being
dispatched. There will be an air or urgency and more requests for
aid than units available to send.
 6. Communications will be inadequate; "holes" will appear in the
system and air traffic will be incredibly heavy.
 7. Trained personnel will become supervisors because they will
be too valuable to perform hands-on tasks.
 8. Responding mutual aid units will become lost; they will
require maps and guides.
 9. Water will be contaminated and unsafe for drinking.  Tankers
will be needed for firefighting and for carrying drinking water.
10. Citizens will volunteer but their commitment will usually be
short-term.
11. There may be a multitude of hazardous materials incidents.
12. Aircraft will flood the area; law enforcement, fire, media,
civilian, commercial and military aircraft will be a major
concern.

RACESBUL.055    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 3 OF 9
Date: Mar.  6, 1989
13. The Command Post and/or EOC will be overrun with non-
essential personnel; media, geologists, architects, engineers,
representatives from other jurisdictions, etc.
14. Staging will be essential; the flow of personnel, equipment
and supplies will be overwhelming.
15. Although it is an EOC function, the Field Command Post will
become the temporary seat of government.
16. Electric power will be interrupted or will fail completely.
17. It will be difficult to shut of the gas; valves that are
seldom, if ever, used will be difficult to find, and may not work
when they are found.
18. Phone service will be erratic or non-existent. Pay phones
will be the most reliable.
19. The media will have the best communications available; be
prepared to share or impound their resources.
20. Fuel will not be available because there will be no
electricity to run the pumps.
21. There will be an epidemic of flat tires; police, fire, and
emergency medical vehicles will sustain a multitude of flat tires
that will require repair in the field.

RACESBUL.056    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 4 OF 9
Date: Mar 13, 1989
22. Fires will need to be investigated; mutual aid should include
arson investigators.
23. The primary police department concern will be law
enforcement; there will not be sufficient time or manpower to
provide miscellaneous services.
24. It will be dark; there will not be enough generators or
lights available.
25. Portable toilets will be in demand; there will be no place to
go, and if a place is found there will be six photographers there
to cover the event.
26. The perimeter will be difficult to control; citizens and
media alike will offer good reasons why they should be allowed to
enter the restricted area.
27. Search dogs will be needed early in the operation.
28. Documentation will be very important; there will be a
multitude of requests for information later.
29. Riveted steel (oil and water storage) tanks may fail.

RACESBUL.057    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 5 OF 9    Date:
Mar. 20, 1989
30. Streets will be impassable in some areas; it will be
necessary to clear streets of rubble in order to conduct
emergency operations.
31. The same buildings will be searched more than once unless
they are clearly marked.
32. In earthquakes, there will be aftershocks; they will hamper
emergency operations, create new fears among the citizenry and
may cause more destruction than the original shock.
33. Many injured people will have to find their own way to
medical treatment facilities.
34. Volunteer and reserve personnel may be slow to respond; they
will put their own families' safety first.
35. On-duty public safety personnel will be concerned about their
own families, and some may leave their posts to check on them.
36. Law enforcement and the media will clash; all media
representatives should be referred to the Public Information
Officer.
37. Very few citizens will utilize evacuation/mass care centers;
they will prefer to stay with friends and relatives, or to camp
out in their own yards.
38. Structural engineers will be needed to evaluate standing
buildings for use as evacuation centers, command posts,
information centers, first aid stations,
etc.

RACESBUL.058    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 6 OF 9
Date: Mar. 27, 1989
39. The identification of workers and volunteers will be a
problem; it will be difficult to determine who is working where
and on what.
40. There will be rumors; people will be listening to their
radios and must be given accurate information.
41. There will not be enough handie-talkies; batteries will soon
go dead.
42. Many fire hydrants will be inaccessible (covered or destroyed
by rubble) or inoperable.
43. Generators will run out of fuel; jerry cans of fuel must be
obtained early to maintain generator powered lighting and
communications.
44. Critical facilities will have to be self-sufficient; gas,
lights, water and sewage may be out for days.
45. Emergency responders will require rest and must be relieved.
Local personnel may be of value as guides for mutual aid
responders, or as supervisors for volunteer crews.
46. Equipment will be lost, damaged or stolen, and may never be
accounted for.
47. Someone will get the bill; record-keeping and accounting
procedures will be important.

RACESBUL.059    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 7 OF 9
Date: Apr.  3, 1989
48. Traditional non-emergency personnel will want to go home at 5
o'clock; all public employees must be made to realize that they
are a part of the emergency response team.
49. People will die and there is nothing that can be done about
it. Non-public safety personnel will not understand why everyone
cannot be saved. Priorities must be set to save the most lives
possible.
50. Dead bodies should not be an initial concern. Rescuing the
living should be the first priority.
51. If phones are working, the number of requests for service
will be overwhelming. People will have to fend for themselves; it
will be difficult for dispatchers to ignore these pleas for help.
52. Some field units will "disappear"; you will not be able to
reach them and will not know where they are or what they are
doing.
53. Security will have to be posted at hospitals, clinics, and
first-aid stations to control hysterical citizens demanding
immediate attention.

RACESBUL.060    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 8 OF 9
Date: Apr.  8, 1989
54. Representatives from public agencies throughout the United
States and many foreign countries will want to come and observe
the operations or offer assistance. They will be a significant
problem.
55. Department heads (EOC) staff may not have a working knowledge
of their assigned areas of responsibility, and will "play it by
ear."
56. Some citizens and media representatives will question your
decisions because they will not recognize that the safety of
field responders is paramount.
57. There are no critically injured in a disaster; only those who
are dead or alive.
58. Handicapped and disabled persons will probably die unless
personal family and friends can care for them and maintain their
life-support systems.
59. Management will not be familiar with field response
procedures, and may attempt to change standard operating
procedures.
60. Emergency responders (public safety and medical alike) will
not be adequately trained to respond efficiently.
61. There will be initial chaos; supplies, materials and
equipment needed will not be readily available.
62. There will be a general lack of necessary information;
coordinators will want to wait for damage/casualty assessment
information to establish priorities.

RACESBUL.061    SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? PART 9 OF 9
Date: Apr. 17, 1989
63. Emergency equipment will not be able to reach some locations
because of traffic jams. Tow trucks will be at a premium. Parked
or abandoned vehicles will block streets, and emergency
responders will be the worst offenders.
64. Even though there will not be enough people to initially deal
with emergencies, many available personnel will never be
identified and never used. After the initial shock, there will be
too many volunteers.
65. General information will be offered in response to specific
questions because field units cannot verify the requested
information.
66. Individual public safety officers will be asked to do the
work of squads or companies; they will have to recruit volunteers
on the spot to provide assistance to their efforts.
67. The message flow to, from, and within the EOC and Field
Command Post will break down and become inefficient and
unmanageable.
68. There will be an overcritical desire to "verify" all incoming
information. If it is received from a field unit, it should be
considered as verified.
69. Some EOC and Command Post personnel will become overloaded;
some will not be able to cope with the volume of activity and
information they have to deal with, and some will not be able to
cope with the noise and distractions.
70. Things will get better -- some time after they have become
considerably worse.

RACESBUL.062  SUBJECT:  ARE YOU REALLY EARTHQUAKE FREE?
DATE: Apr 24, 1989
      A recent comment by an eastern seaboard resident was:
"California is the only place that need worry about earthquakes,
so why bother us with all your earthquake information?" I was
reminded of this statement when the March/April 1989 issue of
"RESCUE" arrived at this office.  A color map of the U.S. shows
graphically how erroneous is such a statement.  The seismic risk
map shows that areas of CA, NV, AZ, WA, UT, ID, MT, MS, AR, TN,
KY, IL, NY, VT, MA, NC and SC are subject to MAJOR DAMAGE.  These
same, and several other, states are subject to MODERATE DAMAGE,
and an even larger number of states are prone to MINOR DAMAGE.
Only parts of TX, LA, and AL are subject to NO DAMAGE.  Food for
thought.
STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator/State RACES Radio Officer
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone [phone]     Fax [phone]

RACESBUL.063   SUBJECT: APRIL WAS BEAT THE QUAKE MONTH IN
CALIFORNIA                                     DATE: May 1, 1989
     Californians learned about major earthquakes and earthquake
safety during the month of April which Governor Deukmejian
proclaimed "California Earthquake Preparedness Month." The
campaign theme, "Beat the Quake," prompted Californians to take
safety actions before the next earthquake strikes. Hundreds of
events were held by state and local governments, organizations,
community groups, and schools to increase public awareness of the
earthquake risk and encourage individual, family, and business
preparedness. "We want all Californians to know what to do
before, during, and after an earthquake," said Bill Medigovich,
Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, which
coordinated the campaign. "This knowledge could help save lives,
and reduce or avoid property damage and business disruption when
the next quake hits. The recent Armenian disaster has forced
world attention on the destructive potential of earthquakes,
particularly in earthquake-prone California, where temblors occur
with regularity."     Many RACES, ARES, and CAP communications
tests and exercises were conducted. The need for more emphasis on
simplex VHF/UHF and the use of HF-SSB communications became
evident with the simulated  and  real  loss  of  mountaintop
Amateur and CAP radio facilities.

RACESBUL.064  SUBJECT:  OUT OF SIGHT IS OUT OF MIND
DATE: May  8, 1989
     I'm sure you've all heard that old expression, "Out of sight
is out of mind." Well, the same holds true for a lot of volunteer
organizations who may bemoan the fact that "Here we are but
nobody calls on us." Or, "When they alerted everybody, they
didn't call (me)(us)." This is not an unusual condition. It can
often be traced to the fact that liaison is lacking between the
volunteer organization and the government agency they serve.
Simply stated, the volunteers are not making regular and frequent
visits to the agency. If the volunteer group is fulfilling a need
or operational task for the first time, the need for these visits
is more important than ever. Once a week is usually not too
often. True, business may not be necessarily discussed at each
and everymeeting, but seeing one another on a regular basis is
important. Another old adage pops up here, whether we like it or
not: It's not what you know -- it's who you know. The best
volunteer resource in the area may be out there, but the local
disaster management agency will not really know about them, let
alone alert them, because there is no ongoing liaison.  When the
emergency develops is NOT the time. Yet many volunteer feelings
may be hurt when their offers of assistance are declined --
simply because they are an unknown quantity.        --KH6GBX

RACESBUL.065                                   DATE: May 15, 1989
SUBJECT:                 EMP DEVICES
     FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has available two
four-page pamphlets that should be of interest to technical
communications and electronics people.  These are available from
your FEMA regional office.
     CPC (Civil Preparedness Circular) 88-3. Subject:
Electromagnetic Pulse Protection Grounding Recommendations.
Synopsis: Provides recommendations for EMP grounding systems. The
recommendations provide a trade-off between the cost to achieve a
very low resistance and the result minimum EMP grounding
required. Grounding is critical in the protection of
communications and electronic equipment.
     CPC 88-4. Subject: Coaxial Type EMP Protection Devices.
Synopsis: The widespread use of solid state electronic
communications equipment in recent years, with their inherent
weakness to damaging transient electrical pulses, has stimulated
the electronics industry to develop and market a large variety of
improved transient protection devices. These devices provide full
protection of communications equipment from damaging voltage and
current transients generated by lightning and electromagnetic
pulses. The suitability of these new devices for low cost
protection of communications equipment is reviewed.      --KH6GBX

RACESBUL.066                                   DATE: May 22, 1989
SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - PART 1 of 2
     RESCUE 621 is the transportable communications system
assigned to the 939 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (Air
Force Reserve), located at Portland International Airport,
Oregon.  According to Mr. Bill Kratch of the 939th, the
capability of RESCUE 621 exceeds that of virtually any other
civil or military system now in operation. RESCUE 621 radio
systems include: HF Point to Point and Air/Ground, UHF
Air/Ground, VHF Air/Ground, VHF Satellite (NASA ATS-3), VHF-FM
("Fox Mike" tactical radio), VHF FM High Band and Low Band Mobile
Radio (Federal government, state and local law enforcement,
rescue, fire and ambulance services, American Red Cross), and
connections for virtually any portable or mobile radio that can
be furnished by the user.     RESCUE 621 can patch together
transmissions among these channels, providing a unique capability
to extend local communications to a regional or global basis,
while quickly adapting to rapidly changing situations. Through
RESCUE 621, on- scene officials can literally talk to supporting
agencies on the other side of the globe, while simultaneously all
parties are linked into local or regional networks. While rescue
missions were being flown immediately following the eruption of
Mount St. Helens, the White House Situation Room used RESCUE 621
to link directly with military rescue aircraft and civilian
officials responding to the disaster.

RACESBUL.067                                  DATE: May 29, 1989
SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - PART 2 of 2
     The vehicle and support systems trailer are air-
transportable by military aircraft, and are kept in mission-ready
condition at all times. The vehicle is a CJ5 Jeep containing all
radios and operating consoles. The vehicle carries the driver and
one passenger. The trailer carries power generator, gasoline
tanks and radio repair kits.     This system has been funded as a
peacetime rescue resource by the Air Force Reserve. RESCUE 621 is
managed by Mr. Bill Kratch, 939th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery
Group (AFRES), Portland International Airport, OR.   Telephone
503-335-4561, AUTOVON 638-4561. Mission tasking for RESCUE 621 is
controlled by the USAF Rescue Coordination Center, Scott AFB, IL.
Telephone [phone] or AUTOVON 576-4815.

RACESBUL.068                                DATE: June 5, 1989
SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - PART 1/5
     One of the least discussed subjects in most public safety
agencies is what you should do, what you could do, what you are
expected to do, or what you should not do in regards to your
family in the event of a major emergency or the threat of one.
Perhaps this is because it is an unpleasant subject to some, not
worthy of consideration by others, or simply "no contest" by yet
others. Volunteers who are committed to an emergency response
function are grouped with public safety employees in this
discussion. RACES personnel, for example, are government
employees whenever they are working, training or serving with
their state or local government.     By the way, there are no
"right" answers although, once a discussion gets started, there
can be some strong feelings on what should or should not be done.
What is important is that emergency public service responders
recognize that individuals feel differently on this subject and
that every agency should define a policy of what it expects of
its employees (and volunteers) before the crisis develops.

RACESBUL.069                                 DATE: June 12, 1989
SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - PART 2/5
     While being interviewed for my first civil defense position
I was told that its employees and volunteers may put in long and
unscheduled hours, may respond to incidents never knowing when
they will be released to go home, may be called to duty at odd
hours to respond immediately, and that by my not accepting these
conditions could be sufficient and understandable grounds for my
seeking employment elsewhere. Having had fourteen years prior
volunteer SAR and firefighting experience where the same ground
rules applied, I personally had no trouble with this. It was
stressed during the pre-employment interviews and post-employment
policy by that agency that its employees should make whatever
plans were necessary to assure that their family knew what steps
to take and where to go. If necessary, by themselves and without
you. It required a state of mind acceptance, if you will, by the
employees, spouses and other dependents.
     Having served as a volunteer emergency responder for so many
years prior to being paid, it certainly helped to  prepare me for
the frame of mind that the employer sought. I later learned that
it also made the difference who was hired among equally qualified
people.  I thus started my career thinking that this was a
standard operating practice among all emergency agencies. Nothing
could be further from the truth.
     All emergency workers, paid or otherwise, come to the job
without any prior experience and exposure to emergency plans for
the family. Each probably had training, but did it include what
your family should do if you are not there to be with them?

RACESBUL.070                                 DATE: June 19, 1989
SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - PART 3/5
     The nature of the crisis has a lot to do with whether or not
communications between and your family is or may be possible. All
such families should be briefed on what can happen to the
telephone system in time of crisis.  We take the phone system too
much for granted.  A sudden knowledge of an event, or the threat
of one, can render the telephone system inoperative. The phone
system is designed to handle just so many calls. Too many callers
at one time and the system collapses.   This is why Emergency
Broadcast System announcements should always include the
admonition to limit the use of the telephone only to emergency
calls or emergency calls for assistance.
     Emergency responders should have a preplan and know what to
do and where to go in the absence of a telephone callout. By the
same token, our families should know what to do and where to go
if they do not hear from us. Better yet, they should be
conditioned not to hear from us, that we are involved with the
preservation of life and property of many people, and that we are
confident in the fact each of the adults in our family knows,
understands and accepts that fact. To be sure, there are
exceptions and extenuating circumstances.
     Chiefs, managers and supervisory personnel first should know
that there are several categories of crisis reactions among
employees and volunteers.  These reactions should be discussed at
the rank and file levels prior to arriving at a plan or policy.

RACESBUL.071                                  DATE: June 26, 1989
SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - PART 4/5
Some of these personal responses are:
- "I will stay on the job or report immediately to work; my
family knows what to do and where to go."
- "I really don't know what I would do. It would depend on the
circumstances.   This has not been spelled out in our department.
I guess that I will play it by ear."
- "I'm not doing ANY work until after I have taken care of my
family.  Even then I might not report for duty.  Would you?"
     It is interesting to note that in an unscientific survey I
have found that most respondents fall into either the first or
the last category, and that most firmly feel that the opposing
position is "absolutely incongruous."  I will make no effort to
predict what successes can be achieved, for example, in changing
anyone's beliefs from the "head for home" category to the "duty
above all" school.
     Be that as it may, it does behoove managers and planners to
discuss the matter with their people and adopt an official
position. Employees and volunteers should not be left in the dark
"because we have never talked about it."