QUESTION: Why don't you go outside of government for all of your communications volunteers? That is, such as directly to clubs or local non-government organizations?
REPLY: We are frequently asked this from around the country. It sounds appealing to call upon an outside organization to provide prompt and skilled support whenever needed for tasks large or small. But today the situations are such that what is required are people (paid or volunteer) who thoroughly understand and are familiar with the organization, policies, practices and procedures of the served agency.
The best way to have that benefit is to have the volunteers as a part of your governmental organization -- as an active and vital RACES or auxiliary communications unit. How to do that is covered in other bulletins.
While historically this country has seen its citizens responding to their neighbors in all types of emergencies, and this emergency. The consequence is that the volunteers need to be a part of the appropriate government in order to be properly involved. RACES is such a public safety communications activity.
Our experience indicates that volunteer that they serve the agency on the agency's terms. In so doing that volunteer is afforded (at least in California, by law) certain recognition and protection, such as liability and workers compensation coverage. I suppose yovolunteers the "insiders"? But I refer to them as registered with the agency in the appropriate manner. All volunteers with governments in California are registered disaster service workers in accordance with State Law.
The best way to have that benefit is to have the volunteers as a part of your governmental organization -- as an active and vital RACES or auxiliary communications unit. How to do that is covered in other bulletins.
While historically this country has seen its citizens responding to their neighbors in all types of emergencies, and this emergency. The consequence is that the volunteers need to be a part of the appropriate government in order to be properly involved. RACES is such a public safety communications activity.
Our experience indicates that volunteer that they serve the agency on the agency's terms. In so doing that volunteer is afforded (at least in California, by law) certain recognition and protection, such as liability and workers compensation coverage. I suppose yovolunteers the "insiders"? But I refer to them as registered with the agency in the appropriate manner. All volunteers with governments in California are registered disaster service workers in accordance with State Law.
RSS Feed
