This has been in discussion in Ky since back when I first became Ky SEC in early 1999. KyEM (state EMA) had started doing a state credential for County EMA Directors around that time and there was discussion for expanding this to amateur radio and other VOAD agencies. A few special ID’s were made over my 8 yrs as SEC for the ones who were needed to access the state EOC as primary or back up amateurs and even for the ones who trained on the state mobile command post, but never did this expand to all ARES state-wide. What with budget cuts even local EMA Directors like myself have no current state EMA ID as they are no longer making them for anyone.

Many county EMA’s are now doing local amateurs who respond along with their official EMA staff ID’s, but again no standardization. I still weigh in regularly every chance I get that a local police officer or Ky State Trooper assigned to secure a facility or area must know what type of ID is acceptable and until that point is reached we will have denial of access even to federal agents with ID’s foreign to the average KSP officer. States will have to someday accept and make known their acceptance of some national ID for things to ever work correctly. As for the exercise critique, this was mentioned somewhat loudly by myself and a few others, but as it involves a wider scale approach than regionally, it was referred to Ky OHS for more discussion which may or may not occur.

I did spotlight some flaws in 2005 when I ran a double check on some KyOHS contractors doing “Community Emergency Preparedness Program” community risk assessments when unknown to me or anyone else they tried to access my local chemical plant and asking sensitive questions while waving some little plastic name badges around. Ky OHS came back to me with a, “Never heard of them!” which stirred the pot rather loudly for a few days! A clear case of: One hand not knowing what the other was doing.

So yes, we need some type of recognized and verifiable ID for anyone doing any type response or work in the post 9/11 world.

73,

Ron Dodson, KA4MAP

-----Original Message-----
From: NRCEV@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NRCEV@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 12:00 PM
To: NRCEV@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NRCEV] We DO have jobs to do - Where does Training and Certification fit?

This has been a great topic and I'm not trying to cut it short, but
I want to throw a twist in to keep discussion here, at least
partially addressing Certification.

Question - What part, if any, would a standard certification, on the
lines of the NRCEV certifications, play within this discussion?

Part of this discussion revolves around have "enough" for folks to
do to keep them interested and part deals with gaining the trust of
served agencies so that they are comfortable including EmComm
volunteers on a regular and meaningfull basis.

In the KY Region 5 exercise Don mentioned there were hams that never
worked together before or served agencies were not familiar with.
Was any part of the after action discussion about credentialling and
or standard training?

Just curious - what your input?

Chris, NG3F
NRCEV

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