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August 16, 2005
A van, or not?
Thanks to SCott, KC8BHV, we have the opportunity to add an ARES vehicle to our equipment. The van is a converted ambulance that runs well and is in sound condition, but that also needs some engine work and a good deal of interior wiring and remodeling to suit it to our purposes. That raises the question of whether we can get enough commitments of time and talent from our members to get the van into condition where we can use it. If you're interested in helping with the van (or if you think that we should hold off), please let one of the AECs know. We'll be discussing this topic again at our next meeting, so come prepared to talk about it.Posted by Paul at 11:34 AM
August 11, 2005
After-action report: Wood County Fair
Scott Baker, KC8BHV, wrote up a short account of his participation at the Wood County Fair. With his permission, I'm posting it here-- I found it good reading.
When I first started trying to get a group started in Wood County, I was told horror stories both from Eric Larson and from the hams. Well, the stories I got from the hams were wrong!
Eric asked us to take part at the fair to try to get "professional" volunteers associated with emergency communications to help with dispatching/radio operations within the fairgrounds.
I had fun. I answered the phone, took complaints of cars blocking in other cars, talked to the fire marshalls on one radio while talking with people at the gates. It did get hectic at times, but when the fire marshall comes to the comm center to say thanks for the help, that's all I needed to realize my service was helpful and appreciated.
Even Phil, W8PSK, stated that the manual that they have for communications at the fair goes hand in hand with the Level One Emergency Communications Course through ARRL.
The biggest thing is "BE PROFESSIONAL": in this role, you are still an emergency communicator, not on the end of an amateur radio, but on real public safety bands.
Thanks to Scott for the comments and for the excellent example of professional, cheerful service to WCEMA!