Hi Doug,
I've read Tom's reply and agree with most of it, but figured I'd reply seperately so as to keep it less confusing.

See Below
Chris, NG3F

--- In NRCEV@yahoogroups.com, Doug Younker <dougy@...> wrote:
>
> Chris and the group,
>
> Even if there was a competence standard to meet and it's meet, there may
> be always one obstacle present that may keep the EMCOMM being looked at
> as at the same level of professionalism of other volunteer provided
> emergency services.  That is a lack of a job to do.  Fortunately
> communications emergencies are rare events.  While they are always
> possible, but the probability of one occurring is low as compared to the
> probability of volunteer emergency medical of  fire fighter volunteer
> being paged out. 

In have a discussion one day with someone involved with amateur radio resources at a state level and he made a comment that although I hadn't thought of it that simply myself, I completely agreed with.

Emergency Communications (EmComm) is Pubic SAFETY not Public SERVICE.

I'll type that again.

Emergency Communications is Public SAFTEY not Public SERVICE.

Think about that statement for a moment................  

Addmittedly, providing public safety is providing a public service, but the emphasis is different.  Providing communications during walk-a-thons, bike races and other pubic events is definitely provide public service and can even provide an added level of safety for the events.  Providing Public Safety also means coming in with the right attitude and a dedication to the mission NOT the fun.

The lack of "emergencies" is not a problem exclusively held by EmComm volunteers.  In ANY volunteer organization, if you can not provide the volunteers with regular "things to do" in between emergencies you will have trouble keeping volunteers.  One of the things we as amateur radio operators need to do with our served agencies, especially if it is an EMA or Public Safety agency is work with them to develop, non-emergency/non-amateur radio communication missions that the volunteers can perform. 

We, as amateurs, keep saying we are "communcations experts"!!!!  If that is true, then prove it by offering service as communcators, not just amateur radio operators.  Take as many courses offered by your served agency as you can.  Show them you want to be part of the WHOLE team.  When hams are asked to operate Red Cross comm vehicles they must undergo a full week of training and none of this is on operating amateur radio equipment.  Learn to used the served agency equipment as backup/supplemtary operators.  Their systems may still be working but they need people to operate them.  Find ways to provide communication services, using both amateur and non-amateur frequencies, that can be performed in between "emergencies".  Ask to participate in drills and all exercises (table top, functional as well as full scale). If you can do that, you will become valued members of the team, and not just the "guys" they call when an emergency happens.  Besides, it is easier to demonstrate you capabilities during non-emergencies with minimal stress.

Some of the lack of something is our own falt, we only want to play when it's "glamorous"  but are we willing to be part of team and help accomplish missions even if they aren't glamorous?  Which attitude do you think will help us to be seen as professionals.

Do EMTS and Firefighter only go on "emergency" calls?  As a retire paramedic I can tell you that probably 90% of time when you are "paged out" it is not for a life or death emergency and in between calls there is the paperwork, checking stock, maintaining the equipment, training, meetings and yes, there can be long periods of down time.  Those that are dedicated will get out of bed in the middle of the night the help pick the nice old lady up after a fall for the fourth time in a month.  The glory seekers , or Wackers as we call them locally, only come out for a fully involved structure fire or cardiac arrest.  Unfortunately, too many "EmComm volunteers" fall into this "Wacker" catagory.  Which one instills confidense and shows professionalism to their served agencies? 

Remember that old saying, you get out of something what you put into it.  Ultimately, if falls on our own shoulders to demonstrate professionalism and earn respect.  We can demand it.

>As an ARRL member and an ARES® volunteer I'm forced
> to admit the ARRL has been out to lunch for a long time in making ARES®
> a "unprofessional" organization. In reading over the NERPC Report, I'm
> not sure if they are really prepared to start to make it such now.                                                                                                                             > Doug, N0LKK

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you here Doug.  As an emergency management professional I was pleased to see that the ARRL is taking many steps in the right direction.  However, as you say, HQ does not appear to fully understand NIMS/ICS and the whole disaster response atmosphere.  This is not meant as a dig, simply that by reading that report it is clear they have no one who understands these concepts and what is occuring nationally.  The new position they create to oversee all thedisaster response effort from HQ should have required the person be have taken ALL the ICS courses through ICS400 and EMA/government experience.  Their description of Unified Command, as outlined in the report, and how it funtions and where Amateur Radio, or even the Red Cross fit in, cleary indicates a lack of understanding.

There has never been a time where strong leadership from ARRL HQ could provide a more important impact, but while the steps they recommend taking are needed they fall well short of anything that can be consider strong leadership.  By simply reforming ARES(R) into a truely National organization with common standards, policies, procedures and clear lines of leadership directly to HQ would be major improvement.  As it is, every Section and every ARES(R) group with a section is it's on little fiefdom.  All trying to do the best job they can, but all doing it their own way. 

The world of disaster response is changing and either you change with it or you get left behind.  Personally, I choose to change with it and even try help ensure that change is a positive one, albeit the NRCEV.  Others will fight the change and either finally make changes needed or be left behind the decision is theirs. 

Hopefully the NRCEV will be a positive part of the change, time will tell.

Hope that wasn't too long winded Doug 

73's