Michigan Amateurs Team Up with State
ARRL Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK, and Michigan Section Emergency Coordinator John McDonough, WB8RCR, have been working with the Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management to align the capabilities of the Amateur Radio Public Service Corps (ARPSC) -- Michigan's integrated ARES/RACES program -- more closely with the communications needs of the state's public service agencies.
ARPSC also participates in the Michigan State Department Emergency Management Coordinators Quarterly meetings at the State Emergency Operating Center. It is here, Williams said, that discussion of the Public Safety communications grants are discussed and their investment justifications are detailed. "We have been afforded the opportunity to discuss Amateur Radio's involvement with communications interoperability, as well as our ability to fill gaps in disparate networks and outages. As a result of these conferences, I was asked to include a list of ARPSC's needs for the next three years."
To further that end, Williams told the ARRL that they have been successful in incorporating the ARPSC Program into the Michigan State Preparedness Priorities. Michigan intends to develop the ARPSC into a fully integrated communications team operating under common standards and procedures, including maintaining and enhancing the statewide Amateur Radio communications system; establishing suggested standards for Amateur Radio capabilities in local Emergency Operations Centers, and developing a public awareness and education program to bolster the ranks of Amateur Radio participants. The hope, Williams said, is to have all this implemented by 2010.
Williams said, "Since the early 1980s, Michigan has operated an integrated ARES, RACES and NTS program referred to as the Michigan Amateur Radio Public Service Corps. By combining the forces of these normally separate structures, these valuable resources are pulled together to form an active trained and unified organization. The Section Emergency Coordinator also holds the positions of Section Traffic Manager and RACES Radio Officer. Membership is ARPSC is open to all amateurs and is structured to allow a beginning ham to progress from an entry-level position to a RACES-qualified operator by meeting specific training milestones."
"There is no doubt that by presenting a unified organization, the Michigan ARPSC has demonstrated the effective use of resources, training and our unique capabilities so that we have become a well respected public service organization in the state," Williams said.
Page last modified: 03:30 PM, 13 Mar 2008 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2008, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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