Bid: $RACESBUL.354
Subject: RB354We Wait But No Calls 4/4

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 354  OPS - We Wait, But No Calls 4/4
Release Date: November 28,1994

Let's assume that there is an emergency in progress in the local
community and the unit hasn't been "called upon to help". What
can the Radio Officer do besides wait?

Assuming a relationship has been established but not that
described in bulletin 353, go into the agency as soon as
possible! Arrive at the agency in clothes similar to what the
others are wearing. As Radio Officer you don't know? Well you've
not been there enough and that is the real problem! If they wear
sport shirts, okay. If they wear a tie, you wear a tie. Leave
radios, swatches, radio club clothing, badges and other ornaments
in the vehicle. Go in looking like a professional of equal status
with the staff. BE PROFESSIONAL, but quietly. Softly does it.
Don't arrive with the idea that you are THE solution to their
problem. With that attitude YOU will be the problem, and they
don't need another one! Size up the situation and at an
appropriate time and place quietly ask "How can I help?"  Or,
modify it with, "Would it help, Mary, if I did such and such?"
Expect an answer in response, but recognize they may be under
high stress, shorthanded, foul tempered and just balled out by
the fire chief for not doing something that wasn't their job
anyway.

Once you've got a job to do, whatever it is, DO IT one thousand
percent, no matter how far removed it is from operating a radio!
In one such situation it was three days before the question
"Could you use the radio to....? Before that it was just helping,
none of which was communications related on the surface. Yet, it
was helping the agency and was therefore indirectly related by
way of interpersonal communications as well as people helping
people in time of stress.

In writing this, it is recognized that there will be some who
won't understand it and will misinterpret it as "polishing the
apple", which it is not. It is the very opposite, demonstrating
professional competent ability to assist where assistance is
needed. It is the basis upon which trust can be built between the
Radio Officer and the agency.  What is important is that it's
necessary to instill respect, reliability and quiet confidence in
the minds of the agency people before they may want the unit
people around. This is one way of doing that. End of series by
Cary Mangum, LL.B., JD., W6WWW, Chief State Radio Officer.

"There is much for which to be thankful on this Thanksgiving".
May that for which you are thankful increase abundantly in the
days to follow. Cary