EMC037 - Radio Officer Concerns/Problems

Unit leaders representing 26 jurisdictions from areas as large as several states in the midwest or east were asked "What are your concerns, issues and suggestions?" 

Here are their responses:

1. As a Radio Officer or shift supervisor, keep a log of who you assigned when, where and their times on and off. (to avoid undue stress and injury to responders) Manage people!!
2. Wildland fires and their demands on manpower and systems.
3. Who does what, when, and how? We need better documentation and training in this.
4. Answer the following "Big 6" when you are called out. Have a checklist: Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How .
5. This group should meet more often. (CAP Group Commander)
6. We need a system to use both Amateurs and CAP for our communications support. (American Red Cross)
7. Keeping up the interest of the personnel.
8. How to use packet radio in disasters
9. Better communications with other organizations who "pull" upon the same people.
10. How do you get people involved?
11. Too many people are signed up.Subsequent discussion on how not to be afraid to be selective. Seek quality, not quantity.
12. Training keeps people interested and educated.
13. Untrained ARES people need handouts and training.
14. See more understanding and acceptance of what we can do besides simply operating radios.
15. The problem of "divided" counties; i.e., north and south, east and west, or valley and mountain.
16. We need more practice exercises. (The exercises should include non-ham radio problems to provide expanded training and education hams would otherwise never get.)
17. How to refuse an applicant who seeks to join a unit.
18. Failure of individuals to participate.