> No one is selling the NGOs anything, they are NOT communications > ignorant. > But one thing for sure, even though we have a large number of amateur > radio > operators volunteering for disaster communications, the number is less > than > 15% of the number needed. Walt/K5YFW
This is an interesting point, not entirely the fault of Hams. It is true when I served as ARRL SEC for the West Central FL Section there were challenges in recruiting, though some of that was the result of endless political feuding here, some the reputation of the Red Cross and EOC's for ignoring Ham volunteers. My personal experience volunteering to serve various agencies was not encouraging. The Red Cross was poorly led and poorly trained in the use of Ham ops. One school located the Ham site three buildings away from the Red Cross site with no means of intercommunication! Reports from many Hams is that they show up and do nothing, other than occasional busy work, it frustrates good workers and they do not return. I believe that the tasks and training of both Hams and the served agancies must be closely aligned and that volunteers be fully used, properly reported, and treated with respect. Before we hope to recruit more volunteers the equipment, modes, and roles need to be more clearly defined and the served agencies properly trained to leverage valuable volunteer resources. The DMAT organization is an example of how it is done right. -- Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E ... somewhere in FL URL: bibleseven (dot) com
