"Perhaps some of the ARES individuals can form an ACS/RACES unit in a government. The ACS/RACES part can work for a city or county emergency management agency, while the ARES portion can work for, say, the Red Cross. This
sharing approach especially holds true for the leadership. The EC would report to the Red Cross Coordinator, while the ACS/RACES Radio Officer (RO) would be appointed by and report to the city or county Emergency Management Coordinator. The EC and RO could be each other's assistant.
"This type of ARES as ACS/RACES can be participatory in a RACES plan with the city or county emergency management agency. That plan, when submitted to and approved by the state for eventual filing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will qualify the agency unit for matching funds which can be used to improve the city or county Amateur Radio equipment resources. Basically, the ARES with an ACS/RACES type unit can be participatory in a RACES plan as well as have a plan or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Red Cross.
"The leadership of the organization is the cornerstone of its success. The EC/RO (and assistants) must make themselves known and available to all agency personnel for other than emergency communications (again, administrative duties etc.). Out-of- sight, out-of-mind will greatly minimize or eliminate any ARES AND ACS/RACES organization from being utilized when the time comes. It's real tough to demonstrate an organization's effectiveness and professionalism when it is invisible."
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"This type of ARES as ACS/RACES can be participatory in a RACES plan with the city or county emergency management agency. That plan, when submitted to and approved by the state for eventual filing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will qualify the agency unit for matching funds which can be used to improve the city or county Amateur Radio equipment resources. Basically, the ARES with an ACS/RACES type unit can be participatory in a RACES plan as well as have a plan or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Red Cross.
"The leadership of the organization is the cornerstone of its success. The EC/RO (and assistants) must make themselves known and available to all agency personnel for other than emergency communications (again, administrative duties etc.). Out-of- sight, out-of-mind will greatly minimize or eliminate any ARES AND ACS/RACES organization from being utilized when the time comes. It's real tough to demonstrate an organization's effectiveness and professionalism when it is invisible."
END OF SERIES
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