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

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 8KB | 147 lines

Page 1

MGTPolicy Version 1. 3    3/1/92



Subject: POLICY MATTERS [ Category: MGT]

RACES PROGRAM GUIDANCE POLICY
We have been in close contact with the FCC in the matter of RACES
and other emergency communications programs. The FCC staff and
their involvement in these areas was sharply curtailed in 1982.
Last month the FCC expressed their pleasure and support with the
State of California (OES) because it is providing fulltime staff
to provide guidance in RACES--a function that neither the FCC or
FEMA is funded or staffed to continue. Towards that end the FCC
staff expressed their appreciation and confidence in this office
to take the leadership role in interpreting and implementing the
intent of the RACES Subpart F. We and the Commission agree there
are inequities in Subpart F. We further agree to interpret and
advise in the RACES program plans and management in a manner
which we genuinely believe to reasonably serve the interests of
the State and its local governments--unless otherwise directed by
the Commission. (Signed) STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX State RACES
Coordinator State RACES Officer (broadcast by MARION HENSON,
RACES RADIO OFFICER W6NKR, 12/1/1986.)
RB 86-42

VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING POLICY
For every public safety function or problem there is a government
agency charged with the primary response, control and mitigation.
Some agencies use volunteers on a regular basis and others do
not. Such regular or professional volunteers are generally
expected to meet certain qualifications prior to acceptance and
enrollment. We know of no public safety function in California
provided solely by volunteers. Skilled volunteers, properly
trained and registered, are a part of and support a specific
public agency. Public agencies do not take kindly to unrequested
volunteers showing up at an emergency. By the same token,
properly registered volunteers do not self-dispatch themselves;
they respond by authorization from competent authority. One of
the prerequisites in California for a volunteer to serve a public
agency is to first become a registered Disaster Service Worker in
accordance with State Government Code 8580 et al. See your OES
Coordinator for further information if you are interested.
RB40-87

DEPORTMENT AND APPEARANCE
WE ASKED SOME OES PROFESSIONALS IF THEY HAD ANY ADVICE FOR
VOLUNTEERS. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID:
"TELL THEM TO DRESS APPROPRIATELY WHEN THEY COME TO THE OFFICE OR
ANYWHERE ELSE TO WORK FOR AND REPRESENT THEIR OES. THIS MEANS A
NEAT AND CLEAN APPEARANCE COMPARABLE TO OTHER EMPLOYEES. SINCE
MOST VOLUNTEERS ARE ASSUMED TO BE EMPLOYEES BY OUTSIDERS, THEIR
APPEARANCE AND CONDUCT MUST BE A CREDIT TO THEIR ORGANIZATION."
IN SHORT, LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND ASK YOURSELF "WOULD I HIRE
THAT? AND IF SO, FOR WHAT?"
2. "NEVER REPORT FOR DUTY OF VISIT THE OFFICE WITH ALCOHOL ON
YOUR BREATH."
3. "SPEAK FAVORABLY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION TO OTHERS OR NOT AT ALL.
ON DUTY OR OFF DUTY YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION
IN THE EYES OF OTHERS." IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, BRING IT TO THE
ATTENTION OF YOUR SUPERVISOR IN THE OES.
4. "VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BE ADVISED AHEAD OF TIME THAT MOST OF US
EXPECT A PRETTY FAIR DEGREE OF RELIABILITY AND COMMITMENT. FOR
EXAMPLE, IF THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW UP AT A TIME AND A
PLACE -- THEN DO IT." AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS A COUNTY THAT
REQUESTED A DEMONSTRATION OF AIRBORNE ATV FROM A DISTANT UNIT.
THE ATV TEAM ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO FLY THEIR OWN PLANE, FURNISH
THEIR OWN ATV EQUIPMENT, AND PAY ALL OPERATING EXPENSES OUT-OF-
POCKET. SIXTY VOLUNTEERS PROMISED TO ATTEND. LESS THAN 15 SHOWED
UP. THIS IS A POOR EXAMPLE OF RELIABILITY, DEDICATION AND COMMON
COURTESY.
5. "MAYBE I OUGHT TO SPELL THESE THINGS OUT TO VOLUNTEERS BUT I
DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND IT REALLY SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY" ADDS
ONE OES OFFICIAL. THAT'S WHY WE ASKED THE QUESTION AND WHY WE ARE
PASSING ON SOME OF THEIR REPLIES. RB87-19&20

STATEMENT OF MISSION  [OF OES]
The primary mission of the State Office of Emergency Services
(OES) is the coordination of emergency activities to save lives
and minimize property damage during natural disasters and other
emergencies, and to expedite recovery from their effects. On a
day-to-day basis, OES provides leadership, assistance and support
to state and local agencies in planning and preparing for the
most effective use of federal, state, local and private sector
resources used in emergency operations.
The OES functions as the immediate staff and coordinating
organization of the Governor's Office in carrying out the state's
responsibilities under the Emergency Services Act and applicable
federal statutes. The OES acts as the conduit for federal natural
disaster grants and other federal agency support. The OES also
administers the state Natural Disaster Assistance Act (NDAA)
which provides relief to jurisdictions in the form of grants to
assist them in the repairing of roads, bridges, municipal
buildings, and other public facilities.
The program areas administered by the OES are:
A. EMERGENCY MUTUAL AID SERVICES:
- Provision and coordination of Mutual Aid (including RACES).
- Development and utilization of emergency communications systems
(including the RACES).
- Development and implementation of emergency plans. The State,
its 6 Regions, every county, and each city using Amateurs should
have a RACES plan in accordance with the new model plan format.
- Management and maintenance of state resources.
B. ADMINISTRATION FIXED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANNING
C. NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.  RB 010

POLICY & PRACTICES for Management, Operations Staff, and Radio
Officer
This statement is intended to clarify the confusion about some
Amateur Radio operators who have multiple public service
interests, activities or responsibilities.
A jurisdiction's RACES Radio Officer, assistants, alternates and
their key management and operations staff accept their RACES
responsibility as their primary Amateur radio public service
activity by choice. They are free, of course, to belong to any
organization, club, or allied activity that does not interfere
with or detract from their RACES function--again, by their own
choice. Not all Disaster Service Worker volunteers, of course,
are key management or operational people as described above and
thus are not expected by OES to place RACES as their priority
activity of choice.
Any jurisdiction has a right to reasonably expect their key
volunteer staff to serve and respond in a responsible manner; to
expect their volunteers to respond to them as their first
choice--by choice. RB 011

USE OF ID CARD POLICY
ALL STATE RACES STAFF AND OPERATORS INFO: ALL COUNTY AND CITY
RACES IN CALIFORNIA
The ID card issued by any California government jurisdiction to a
RACES operator is for the official use only of that volunteer or
employee while serving that or another government on a mutual aid
basis. Please do not embarrass your agency or jeopardize the
retention of an official identification card by using it to gain
access or for personal advantage if you are not on official
business for your agency. Infractions have a way of filtering
back to authorities. One action of poor judgment can undo the
hard fought gains of many fine volunteers. Good deeds are quickly
forgotten but negative ones long remembered. There are reportedly
counties which will not use volunteers because of one bad episode
in the past. It is recommended that program managers and training
officers in agencies using volunteers stress this subject of ID
card use and misuse.RB87-39