| "Next, the EMA official calls a one-hour meeting of all response agency officials to announce the program that will impact and assist their programs: Board of Supervisors, sheriff, chiefs of police, fire chiefs, rangers, forestry, public works, |
| state patrol, highways department, etc. During this one-hour I clarify what ham radio is - and isn't - in order to shatter myths and misunderstandings. The emphasis is on the fact that these new people are not outsiders - they are, in fact, unpaid employees in THEIR government.""Their next responsibility is to appoint an unpaid professional to their staff as the ACS Radio Officer or RACES Radio Officer. "The next step is to invite interested potential communications volunteers to a meeting to present the program: Amateur radio, Civil Air Patrol, MARS, CB, and unaffiliated communications professionals. The program is presented to the group. Only a small percent of the possible unit participants will be effectively interested, based on experience. This is most critical - simply a fact of life. I assure paid and volunteer staff that they are seeking QUALITY - not QUANTITY. This often takes some effort at reinforcing the local government officials' approach to dealing with volunteers in a businesslike, professional manner. And how not to be reluctant in showing the "prima donnas" the door. Teamwork is a 100% requirement. Those who "buy into" this commitment then complete and submit the applications. The government takes ID photos and processes the background or record checks through the local law enforcement agency. "By now you can see that this is not everybody's 'cup of tea.' Nor is it intended to be. What it boils down to today is that governments are not interested in anything or anyone not a part of their team or people who will not be a credit to their office." |
(Continues next week.)
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