Ward Calling

[KF7OIR]

Hello, I have come to the realization that nobody in my student ward is active in ham radio. Or at least no one has the calling of emergency specialist. So I was thinking about bringing the topic up to my bishop and seeing if I can take the calling. Before I do though, I'm curious as to what I am getting myself into. I realize every area is different but if I could get some general Idea of what a Emergency Communication Specialist does then I would feel more comfortable bringing up the topic. Thank you in advance!

[wb7sgl]

Welcome to the site!

I have two recommendations, first is related to gaining experience and
the second is related to serving in the Church.

The best way to gain an understanding as to what you're in for is to get
into it... And that's actually pretty easy.

Join ARES ! You may want to look into Northern Utah ARES:
http://home.comcast.net/~noutares/

Joining ARES will give you the opportunity to gain training, experience
and you will have the additional benefit of networking within the EMCOMM
arena.

In tandem with ARES, you will also need to hit the free FEMA courses:
IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800. They will teach you the ICS system
which is an absolute must.

You also should take the ARECC course from ARRL. (EC-001) ... The price
is worth it, take the FEMA ICS courses first as the EC-001 course builds
on that.

You should also get basic emergency response training as well, CERT
would be ideal. Not so you can be a responder, but more importantly, you
will have a better understanding of the response efforts and prepared if
you should be asked to accompany responders as a communicator.

You should have a firm understanding of what your role is, as a
communicator, you are not the one directing the efforts. If someone asks
you to pass a message, your responsible for passing it, not correcting
or editorializing it.

Finally, when it comes to serving in the Church, things are not cut and
dry. Church headquarters does not dictate what is to be done or how to
do it. Some things are organized, such as: your area storehouse and/or
stake may have regular nets, and then again, they may not. At the stake
level, you will have a member of the high council that is responsible
for preparedness (including communications) and possibly preparedness
and communications specialists. You may also have preparedness and
communications specialists at the ward level.

As a general rule, the priorities will be determined by the area authorities
then communicated with the stake and those priorities will then flow to the
wards. The Bishop will then determine with the help of the Ward Council how
to accomplish those priorities.

As a specialist, it will be your duty to implement solutions to meet the
priorities. Clearly, having experience and knowledge will be necessary,
As will having knowledge of how the first responders in the community
work will aid you in that service.

Certainly, if you are willing to put in the time and effort to contribute,
you should be reaching out to the bishopric member over preparedness and/or
your bishop. If there are already people serving in those callings, you
should offer to assist them, they can probably help you gain valuable
experience.

I wish you the best in your efforts! It's a ton of fun and very worth it.

73 from WB7SGL - Rob

[KF7OIR]

Thank you for the quick reply!

I've started the process of joining ares. (I filled out the paperwork and have been waiting 3 months now with nothing heard) But I'll keep patient. As for everything else I had no Idea there were that many trainings and classes. However, I'm glad there are so that everyone can be as prepared and educated as possible. I look forward to becoming as educated as possible so I can be an asset to my community in an emergency situation rather than a Liability. I think I'll try to learn a little more before I talk about the calling with my ward leadership but I'm excited to help there as well!

Thanks again for the help!

kf7oir

[AC5WA]

If you have trouble contacting your local area ARES group. Go to the ARRL website at ARRL.ORG and click on the public service tab at the top of the page.  Follow the instructions there and contact your SEC (Section Emergency Coordinator) through the links provided. 

If you are called to work as a communicator in the area where you reside, it will be beneficial to be familiar with the ARES group members and leadership.  While you are poking around, look at RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) as they may be more active than ARES in some areas.  Different areas tend to go more with one organization or the other.   It Texas, RACES tends to be more popular with the state government and ARES, which tends to be more informal, is more popular in outlying areas.  Both organizations have a lot of co-members and both work on training and relief projects. 

I worked on a relief project in Galveston, Texas after the last hurricane and helped with the dispatching of tools, supplies and Helping Hands to different work areas.  It was very interesting.

The repeater club I am a member of made their repeaters available for dispatching and status reporting for the PODs distributing food, water and ice in the Houston area.  Volunteer amateurs provided equipment and operators at the various POD (Point Of Distribution) sites in the area.

All of that knowledge and training does little good without some practice.  You can probably find opportunities to volunteer for work in communications for races, runs, and other large events.  The local REACT group volunteers to use GMRS to dispatch the hay wagons that carry people to and from the parking lot at the county fair.   Amateurs volunteer to support the Houston Air Show, various parades and even the MS150 bike ride.  You can usually find opportunities to serve through the local radio clubs.

I have worked bike races, parades and kid fishing tournaments put on by local groups.  It doesn't pay anything other than sometimes you get to eat free and drink some water.  The experience in dealing with a large scale event is priceless though.   

Have FUN!
AC5WA

[KF7OIR]

Thank you all for the info. I think what I will do for now is get permission to check into our areas local Bishops Storehouse ERC net. I feel like I should learn more and become better prepared before I try and go any further. As for joining ARES and RACES I've sent out both applications and am just waiting to hear back. And I'm trying to find out when our local CERT meets so I can tag along with them and possibly join. Thanks again for all the help!