Bid: $RACESBUL.353
Subject: 353-We Wait, But No Calls 3/4

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 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
    (W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)  PH: 916-262-1600, 2800 Meadowview Rd.,
    Sacramento, CA  95832. Landline BBS, 916-262-1657 (Open
    to all). Internet crm@oes.ca.gov or seh@oes.ca.gov

Bulletin 353  OPS - We Wait, But No Calls 3/4
Release Date: November 21, 1994

Until there is established rapport between the agency and the
Radio Officer, it is unlikely there will be a request to
"activate the RACES". It isn't likely to happen until the agency
people perceive a benefit not unlike the one that the sheriff
gets when he calls out a Search and Rescue unit.

The time to build rapport is long before there is an emergency.
It begins by the Radio Officer going into the agency regularly to
become acquainted on a work basis, not over a cup of coffee. The
Radio Officer MUST prove quiet professional interest in the
agency. It is done by doing tasks at the agency one or more days
each week for several hours. If the Radio Officer cannot do that,
then the Radio Officer should find those who can and delegate
that role in order to build the needed relationship.

Do whatever task would help out, no matter how remotely
connected; for radio communications do not occur until there is
successful interpersonal communications. Do whatever professional
standards would permit but never cheapen one's self or the unit.
Do anything of interest to self, or someone in our unit, whether
it be to install a radio in a truck, layout a brochure, clear up
the file system, or fix a computer problem. If you can't fix it,
find a volunteer computer specialist and solve the need.

What does all this accomplish? It puts the volunteer unit leaders
in the agency long before there is ever a possible need for a
"call out". It shows the agency benefits. You see, in many
agencies, when it comes to communications, they don't know what
"communications specialists" do. They don't know if they need a
"shadow", a backup radio, or people at a particular place with
handheld radios reporting on levee conditions, etc. They don't
know what they need until you supply it for them and they realize
they didn't have it before. The day comes when the agency person
says "Joe, can your people do......?" And the response is "Sure,
how soon do you need it and where?"  Then the Radio Officer makes
certain it gets done even if there isn't an inkling of how to do
it at the time. As a doer, the job gets done. THEN, they know!
After that, the no "call out" problem is usually replaced with an
active involvement. The agency and the unit move into the future,
enjoying it together!
[Continues next week]