Bid: $RACESBUL.359
Subject: 359- A look ahead for ACS

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

TO:	ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:	COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:	AMATEURS U.S  (@USA: INFORMATION), CAP, MARS, RACES
FROM:	AUXILIARY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE (ACS) of the Governor's
      Office of Emergency Services; the volunteer communications
      reserve of the State of California.

Bulletin 359  MGT - An Overview - A look at the year 2000!
Release Date: January 1, l995

If the past few years are an example of changes to come, then we
may not recognize what serving in an Auxiliary Communications
Service will be like in the 21st century!

Today the situation is no longer just that of operation of radios
or packet. It involves much more than that; like assistance with
a wide array of SYSTEMS: telephone, satellite, microwave,
computers. When understood thoroughly, it covers everything from
disaster information and intelligence to the delivery,
installation and operations of systems in support of needs that
may not be even thought of as yet!

Just consider some of the evolving changes of the 1990's:
In the catastrophic Oakland Hills fire a special California
State Office of Emergency Services (OES) ACS-RACES team brought
in a specially equipped van, "RF-1", to setup multiple links to
telephones. By microwave they linked the command center in the
fire storm area (where phone and electric lines were out) to the
toll plaza of the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge (line-of-
sight) and thence into the commercial phone system. This multi-
purpose sophisticated mobile emergency communications platform
is one of three designed, created and implemented by this team
of volunteers in the Bay Area. By-the-way, one of the team
leaders, although a communications volunteer, is not an
Amateur Radio Service licensee.

A CA Department of Forestry Ranger Unit developed and deployed a
Mobile Video Vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, based on a commercial unit
owned by KGO San Francisco, CA.

State OES ACS/RACES participants developed satellite strike teams
to transport and setup portable trailer-mounted satellite dishes
as part of the state-wide Operational Area Satellite Information
System (OASIS) which provides up to 32 telephone lines to a local
jurisdiction via satellite. These units were deployed during l994
to incidents as appropriate.

In on-going preparation for future emergencies, State OES
headquarters ACS responders provide DAILY agency administrative
support and program management to assist counties and cities by
preparation of ACS/RACES plans, writing manuals, producing
informational materials, bulletins, flyers, and other support
including secretarial and clerical assistance. They conduct tests
and analysis of new equipment and systems. They provide support
of Public Safety systems, transportation and delivery of
equipment, and specialists in support of agency computer systems.

In a situation in late '94 Internet was used as a tool for the
flow of vital data. In an earthquake at Eureka, California
images and information was made available on the INTERNET.

There are literally scores of interesting and challenging
opportunities for an Auxiliary Communications Service as part of
its service for government. Can you imagine the possibilities
that will abound in the 21st century! It's almost unbelievable
what can be done, yet it is up to those who are willing - and
who have the foresight - to do it!
                            --  --  --
ACS Addresses:  2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA. 95832.
Ph: 916-262-1600. FAX 916-262-1677. Landline BBS: 916-262-1657.
W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA or  Internet crm@oes.ca.gov or seh@oes.ca.gov.
eom