Macomb County Michigan
Amateur Radio Public Service Corps
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Macomb County Michigan Amateur Radio Public Service Corps
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The State, Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division, Homeland Security and the counties are all dedicated in making and keeping Amateur Radio a viable alternative communications medium. This is all from lessons which in the last several years have been learned even more because of Oklahoma, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Texas (NASA), the south with the tornadoes and snow storms/power-outages this past year and many other things in which Amateur Radio has shined. To that end, the Federal government in its infinite wisdom has not passed down any requirements as of this time. In anticipation of the rumored requirements the state leadership has put together a program for the coming years. All programs for current RACES/ARES members will be complied with within two years and new members will have two years in which to accomplish their individual training to get a RACES card. In Macomb County, we have set the following guidelines with the counties input to meet or exceed the states requirements. Minimum Training Requirements for Macomb County.· IS-2/IS-22 or whatever equivalent is set by the Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness and Planning Division (formerly FEMA) · ARRL ARECC Level One (this meets and exceeds the state requirement of Intro to Disaster Communications and is logistically easier in the long run to administer) · Skywarn Training every Two Years Ongoing Training Requirements to maintain membership.· One net a month averaged over a three to four month period to take into account the Snowbirds among us. (Currently there are four to five nets on average in any given month. Thus 20 – 25 percent participation.) · Two Meetings a year (currently there are five meetings) · One Special Event a year (these will include such things as the SET, MS Walks, March of Dimes, Parades, Halloween Watches, Marathons, County Disaster Exercises, Field Day, Basically any event requiring a communications contingency). These requirements are the standard by which all cards will be renewed when the next set of RACES cards are distributed in January 2007. We understand that there are circumstances which are beyond some people’s control, such as working afternoons which preclude or prohibit some people from participating regularly. To that end, upon a requested review by the County Representative, the EC and the AEC’s, and a presentation of documentation to substantiate your claim, exceptions may be made or alternatives will be explored which can help you to maintain your status. This will be on an individual by individual basis. Also, be aware that background checks will be done in ALL Counties within Michigan. The exact criteria are the concern of the Sheriffs Department which conducts these checks for Macomb County and whatever entity is responsible in all of the other counties. These background checks can also be done periodically to maintain the integrity of the group. The reason for this is that in many counties in Michigan background checks were not required and some less than upstanding individuals were found to be in a position of authority not consistent with acceptable social standards. A review board can be convened to determine if someone was unjustly disqualified. This will be at the state level as I do not want to personally know of other person’s personal lives intimately nor make a decision that could possibly put me in a court of law later for what was a good intention. If none of these requirements or exceptions is done within the allotted time you will not be renewed for the coming term. These requirements in all fairness are easily attainable. Further suggested training includes the following.· IS – 3, Radiological Management · IS – 5, Hazardous Materials – A Citizen’s Orientation · IS – 195, Basic Incident Command System · IS – 271, Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk · IS – 288, The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management · ARRL ARECC Level Two – NCS Training and Advanced Subjects · Red Cross Disaster Assessment · Urban Search and Rescue Operations These are courses which could help you to better understand the complexities that are involved with what we learned in IS-2. Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Mitigation and how they are important in each of the different types of events that may happen. |
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