Bid : $RACESBUL.307


TO:    ALL ES, CD, AND PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTORS VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:  ALL RACES OPERATORS IN CALIFORNIA
INFO:  ALL AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
FROM:  CA STATE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES   (W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)
          2800 MEADOWVIEW RD., SACRAMENTO, CA 95832 916-262-1600
          LANDLINE BBS OPEN TO ALL 916-262-1657
RACESBUL.307                      RELEASE DATE: January 3, 1994
SUBJECT:  MGT  -  Observations  -  Part 3/3
     The Radio officers said that their programs suceeded because:
     1. It is clearly established that the county official is in
charge -- not an outside organization.
     2. They train in and perform some duties other than two-way radio
because that is what is needed by and useful to the local government.
     3. The radio officer is accepted as regular staff and attends
staff meetings, goes to the agency office regularly, and actively
seeks new and expanded ways in which the volunteers can serve the
agency and local government. In other words, the RACES (or by whatever
name) is not a declared disaster-only operation. Unfortunately, that
last interpretation of the RACES is still widely misunderstood and
propagated by those with a different agenda.
     A few reported that their packet bulletin board did not carry the
RACES Bulletins and that the reason was unknown. I suggested they
contact their BBS sysop to work backward through the delivery system
to identify the drop out. The RACES Bulletins are by and for all
communications volunteers in government service --- and not just hams,
either.

     Some disaster management officials with whom I spoke said they
have a fine RACES group but never heard of and saw the RACES
Bulletins. I pointed out that the RACES Bulletins are addressed to the
official and not the messenger (recipient station). If the official
claims to have a fine group but isn't getting the mail because it's
not being forwarded -- well, there seems to be a problem with the
messenger, does it not?
     We solicit your comments, views, input, suggestions, ideas and
reports.
--- Stan Harter, CA State Office of Emergency Services
EOM