Bid: $RACESBUL.324
Subject : RACES Bulletin #324

TO: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO     ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:    ALL AMATEURS U.S     (@USA: INFORMATION), CAP, MARS
FROM:    CA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
       (W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)            Ph: 916-262-1600
       2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA  95832
       Landline BBS  Open to All: 916-262-1657
RACESBUL.324               RELEASE DATE: May 2, 1994

Subject: OPS - Responding to a Call-Out

     "...I might be willing to respond on something like the
Northridge quake, where there is no damage in my area. However I
am not about to leave my home unprotected, without gas,
electricity, water or telephone if there is looting and civil
unrest and the police are stretched so thin that they cannot
adequately cope."

     Comments: In an emergency, our first concern is rightly
that of our family or other personal priority. There are and can
be instances where it is inappropriate to respond to any aspect
of a call-out. There are those, however, who have prepared their
families in what to do and how to cope so that they can respond
to a duty station and stay as long as needed (with adequate rest
periods inter-spersed as appropriate.) Such people will
literally go around almost any barrier to respond to the local
need if that is  expected of them and they have been trained for
that response level. Essentially it depends on our personal
situation, perspective and preparedness; physical as well as
mental. It's our choice!
      It may not be possible to make preparations for every
eventuality, but it starts with our personal view point. There
is no "right" or "wrong" perspective or reaction. Each must
chose. Experience does show that there are those whose
dedication is at such a level that the concerns expressed are
transcended by their own choice. It depends on ones personal
priorities. There are instances of response in face of total
personal loss, as well as all conditions in between. Again: it's
your choice. Whatever you chose is right for you.
EOM