On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 22:56:30 GMT, Dave Heil wrote:

Police agencies, fire departments, medical installations do not
have direct tie-ins with amateur radio. Neither do utility
companies, transport industries, contractor businesses and all
other entities which are DIRECTLY affected with emergencies.

Strange. These are all "served agencies" of our ARES/RACES
operation here in Washington County (suburban Portland). Why are
they "served agencies" with installed equipment and assigned
operators if they have no tie-in with us?

Military and National Guard units have a nebulous tie-in through
MARS, but MARS frequencies are just outside ham bands. The
military has adequate communications means on its own and can
cope with large local and regional emergency aid. Yes, all those
agencies can be contacted by telephone...but the telephone is
part of the existing non-amateur infrastructure. :-)

:-) indeed. The Marshall County WV ARES comm van is equipped with
amateur radio and county police/fire/medical/SAR radio equipment. ARES
members have been trained in the use of the equipment and have been
authorized to use it. The ARES group is funded by the county and is
counted upon by the county.

Similarly here in WashCo. Plus we are trained and authorized to
handle the served agencies' overflow traffic on our ham facilities
in the event that RACES is activated.

Amazing what someone who is not involved in the day-to-day nitty
gritty of amateur emergency communication training and operations
would want us to believe.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon