Bid: $RACESBUL.333
Subject: RB333 Mgt: Successful RACES Units 3/3


From: W6WWW@KD6XZ.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM
To  : RACES@ALLUS

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.333  Mgt: Successful RACES Units 3/3
RELEASE DATE:   July 4, 1994

Successful emergency communications units have their counterpart
in those that FAIL. While we may not want to look at the reasons,
it is instructive to do so:

1. One of the prime reasons RACES units fail is the attitude in
local government to the effect that "we have good radio systems
so we don't need anything else."

2. A second reason is that of mental approach to the use of the
unit, in that the local attitude is one of "we will call you out
if all other communications fail."

3. Local officials do not realize the significant difference
between a disciplined unit such as SAR and an undisciplined unit
with which it may have a communications memorandum of
understanding (MOU) [if that be the case.]

4. Not acquiring the knowledge of "how to" work with an in-house
communications unit.

5. The improper choice of the person for the Radio Officer.

6. Not realizing the importance of, and knowing how to discharge
a Radio Officer that is not fulfilling his/her purpose.

7. An unsatisfactory past experience with a volunteer in one
capacity or another.

8. Not having an adequately prepared RACES plan.

9. Inadequate staff. In such a case the local official, often
wearing many "hats", feels there is no way to undertake a RACES
program. In some cases that may be an accurate assessment, yet
there are those where undertaking a RACES program even in face of
an inadequate staff and too many "hats" helps to remedy the very
problem.

10. Delegation of RACES program coordination to a technically
oriented person rather than to one oriented to administration and
management of operations.

To some degree, reasons that the creation, care and maintenance
of an emergency communications unit fails is a reflection (as in
a mirror) of the reasons for those that are imminently
successful. Active involvement is the opposite side of neglect.
Knowledge is the opposite of not caring enough to become
knowledgeable. It's really up to the paid staff of the agency to
learn what it takes to make a unit successful. In every instance
that has been done it has more than paid off, and handsomely, at
that.

Want help? The Auxiliary Communications Service at State OES
Headquarters is available to assist a jurisdiction upon request.
[Thanks to Orange County RACES for the material and ideas. End.]