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Archive for category Volusia ARES Admin

ARES East Coast District – Code of Conduct

Sep 9

Posted by mikelee in Flagler ARES Admin, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

As you have already read in an earlier blog posting, Flagler Emergency Services has elected to restructure their handling of volunteers, going away from past practices to an internally managed organization led by Frank Sanita (AA4FS) who is a full-time employee of the County.

Part of their reasoning was to avoid numerous chronic problems that were repeatedly happening on the part of a small segment of the volunteer community – but as in all situations, a few people misbehaving can cause problems for a larger group of well-intending individuals.

After meeting with Emergency Services Chief Troy Harper earlier this year (circa early February), it became apparent that we needed to implement a Code of Conduct for the East Coast District of ARES going forward. Those of you who have completed an ARES application in the district have seen the language, but I thought that it would be appropriate to share that with this larger group, since there have been about 100+ inquiries from across the country and wide-spread acceptance from other groups.

The following disclaimer applies – this is NOT an official ARRL position, policy or document – just one man’s personal belief and his personal “code”. You are free to agree and adopt, or disagree and speak out against any or all of this material.

Above: Code of Conduct (click to enlarge)

Another New System in Atlantic

Sep 2

Posted by mikelee in Flagler ARES Admin, Tropical Cyclones, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

Now 4 in total, SIMULTANEOUSLY:

  • Hurricane Earl – massive at Catagory-4, definitely a factor for the eastern seaboard north of the N&S Carolina border. Stay on alert.
  • Topical Storm Fiona – might not be a factor for us in NE Florida, although might gain strength.
  • Tropical Storm Gaston – all signs and models point to it being on a more southerly track that Earl and Fiona. This one might well hit Florida, so be vigilant. NOW is a good time to insure that you have your Go-Kits ready, your personal items prepared and your PLAN ready.
  • A 4th system, now starting to develop just off the west coast of Africa – is listed as 10% chance of developing into a Tropical cyclone – but this is the same as what we saw from Gaston (which developed into a TD, then TS within about 72 hours).

Florida Emergency Management has requested that all Amateurs prepare their response kits, as well as their personal emergency plans. Although Earl and Fiona may not be a factor for us (subject to change), these other two storms and the ones yet to emerge could well be threats.

Stay alert, stay vigilant and stay prepared.

more tk

Volusia ARES Co-Op Meeting Last Night

Aug 27

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Meetings - by County, Volusia ARES Admin | 1 Comment

Last night, a full-room turn-out of leaders from the newly rebadged Volusia ARES group, plus leaders from the DBARA, WestVARS and IMARS groups met to discuss the new, go-forward strategy for the ARES organization. Fred, the Volusia EC, led the meeting with very active participation from most all in the room. In summary, here’s what I took away from the gathering:

  • This will be an INCLUSIVE organization, welcoming participation from all licensed Hams, from school-age possibly via a program called Junior-ARES, thru seniors who might not be mobile or deployable thru the program called Neighborhood HamWatch. We will find a place and useful purpose for EVERY person who wants to participate.
  • We will consider Term Limits (to be decided by the DEC for the EC position) in order to give opportunity for ALL participants to go from trainee to EC, as their skills and experience increase. We need to promote a sense (and reality) of being able to PROGRESS in the organization.
  • We will not allow a select few to hold us “hostage” with the EOC – we will rotate folks into the EOC so that no individual can hold the entire relationship with the EOC in the future.
  • We will consider recommending that the County RACES Officer be the same individual as the sitting Volusia County ARES EC – in order to eliminate differences in “Agenda” and to streamline the response capabilities of the amateur community.
  • We will define who our Served Agencies are: including the Volusia EOC, Hospitals, Assisted Living Centers, Red Cross, Salvation Army – PLUS our adjacent County ARES groups (Seminole, Brevard, Flagler, Putnam) and their respective EC’s.
  • We will begin the process of creating a Master Plan, starting with the following:
    • A Mission Statement – describing WHO we are, WHAT we’re all about, and WHY we exist.
    • An Agenda Statement – that will change from year-to-year, but that will describe the WHAT we plan to do within the year, HOW we will do it and MEASUREMENTS to help us determine if we are succcessful.
    • A Behavior Guide and Yardstick – a statement of how we will BEHAVE and how we will implement accountability (and improvement) in our organization. I talked about how we should shun behavior that would be considered unacceptable or not in the spirit of amateur radio.
  • We will be a TRANSPARENT organization – sharing all information that we have, encouraging others to be involved, teaching others in order to build as large a bench of trained, qualified and experienced operators as possible.
  • We will be a LEARNING organization – striving to incorporate all of the tools that are in the Amateur tool-kit, including FM Voice, Packet, WL2K, DStar and all the new, emerging technologies yet to come.

I asked for the plan to be completed in the next 30-45 days – with participation from all, but with Fred being the primary accountable party. Folks in the room offered to help by sending their comments, suggestions or drafts to Fred for consideration and/or inclusion.

After completion of the initial (working) draft and review by the DEC, we will PUBLISH the plan for all to see – this will be a Foundational Plan – statements of principle, of how we will operate  - not a procedural book (that comes later).

Good initial progress – but the proof is in what get’s COMPLETED.

more tk

NTS versus ICS Messaging Format..??

Aug 26

Posted by mikelee in ARES Training, Flagler ARES Admin, NET Operations, Volusia ARES Admin | 1 Comment

There was some discussion at the Volusia meeting last Tuesday (17-August), with proponents of the NTS radiogram format and why we need to use something else (like the ICS message formats).

Following the meeting, Ed (KA1EHR) asked a very good question via email, asking for my opinions and views. I’ve attached my response below, in the interest of transparency.

Please note – this may NOT be consistent with the official ARRL position – and even though I was speaking that evening as the DEC for East Coast District ARES, the following views are mine alone – but hopefully, they are based on common sense and  clear thinking. The comments are NOT to be viewed as “policy”, but simply one person’s opinion. All are free to disagree (including the League).

Above: Email regarding NTS and ICS  (click to enlarge)

Are we on the path to being obsolete..??!! Certainly, if we don’t keep up with the times, with our Served Agencies and with Technology, we WILL be obsoleted – or somebody with bigger, better and less expensive capability will take our place. Look at Nextel and how they have changed the face of Event Management – in fact, the MS-150 staff will be using Nextel amongst themselves.  In short – we need to be AHEAD of the curve – always pushing, always advancing, always LEARNING in order to stay relevant. What worked (well) in 1950, or 1960 or even 1990 may not apply as well today. We need to constantly assess, change and adopt new solutions where they apply.

DStar is a good example, as are packet, WL2K and other technologies.

Volusia Town Hall – Feedback #2

Aug 18

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

another piece of feedback from last night’s meeting:

========================

Good morning Mike.

Following in the spirit of, what can I do to help. I wish to participate in the MS-150 event albeit I am only an army of one.

I am a member of the Daytona Beach Amateur Radio Association and also a badged member of the former VARECS group. Having already completed the prerequisite county background check should I still complete the Crown District registration form.

On another note, a comment of sorts from last nights meeting. Incorporation of homebound Amateurs into the ARES mission, what an excellent resource to draw from and it gives the self-esteem of being able to help.

The reinvention of the wheel is going to be a task but not something out of reach.

Marty – W9OV

Volusia Town Hall – Feedback #1

Aug 18

Posted by mikelee in Volusia ARES Admin | 1 Comment

We had a good session last night – about 25 folks in attendance. Good questions, constructive comments, spirited discussion – all positive in every regard.

Here’s an email from Bob Ledford from the DBARA group (retired Master Sargeant, US Army):

==========

Greetings to All,

Tuesday Evening 17 August 1900 Hrs at the  First Presbyterian Church there was a “town hall style meeting” held by Mike Lee, WB6RTH, ARRL ARES DEC for this area.  The main reason was to update local “ham radio operators” interested in serving  the community through the ARRL ARES program.  It was not attended by very many due to some major communications errors by some of  the local ARES appointees.  Attendance numbers were only 25 out of the almost 2,000 licensed hams in the county wide area.

Mr. Lee opened with a brief verbal over view followed by a more detailed Power Point Presentation that was excellently done.  The presentation covered a variety of subjects from a new “Code of Conduct”  then on to an explanation of the organizational structure of the ARRL ARES appointees and who appoints them.

Mr. Lee presented his views of what he considers to be the ideal ARRL ARES appointee, A person with his or her primary mission orientation on the mission of ARES, with a “share the knowledge” ideal.  One that is not interested “in building empire’s” or your “on my turf” concepts.

Two of his main concerns were centered around the “empire building”  power player oriented person and the bottom line impression is there is no room for this type of personality in the ARRL ARES concept.  I agree with this concept as having been a career Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) for almost my entire military career I have seen the damage that this type of personality inflects on organizations and a volunteer type of organization will function for a brief period then literally go down the tube when it is most needed. Why? Because the emperor or power player did not want to share his knowledge or his toys and either stayed at or went home.

Another one of his strong concepts is that the “share the knowledge” concept increases the net worth of an organization be it for hire  or volunteer.  If more people thought this way there would be utopia in volunteer land for sure.  The military uses this concept all the time to great success by assigning junior NCO’s or soldiers to a senior NCO all the time and you train your own replacement so basically you spend half of your career training others to take your place and putting yourself out of a job slot.

In closing  statements it was emphasized that the 3 major local county ham clubs were going to have to become the “trainers to train the next generation of trainers.”  Which is a very true statement because if they don’t there won’t be a future  ARRL ARES concept to pass or to go on.

Bob Ledford (Retired, US Army, Master Sergeant), WA4IDI

Volusia ARES “Town Hall” on 19-August at 19:00

Aug 15

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

The leadership of the Volusia ARES group will be holding a “Town Hall”  on 19-August (Thursday) at 19:00. Leadership from all clubs in the greater Volusia area are invited. Yes – this is in addition to the meeting that I will be hosting on 17-August at the DBARA monthly venue.

Purpose of the meeting is to review the most recent events, including (1) the resignation of Doug from the AEC and RACES Officer position, (2) change of name from VARECS to Volusia ARES, (3) status of RACES with the county, (4) interface and relationship with Volusia County EMA, as well as other topics that might be of interest to attendees.

This is being done in order to give any participants the opportunity to ask questions, make constructive comments and suggestions and to being the process of “moving forward” with ARES in the county under a new leadership philosophy, style and organization.

I am planning to participate in any way that might be constructive – but this really is Fred and his AEC’s show, so my role will be secondary at best. Regardless, if you have any questions that may benefit from my involvement and response, I will certainly do my very best.

Hope to see y’all there – please say “HI” if the opportunity presents itself.

more tk

Volusia Meeting on 17-August to discuss ARES Changes

Aug 11

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Meetings - by County, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

I’ve asked John (K4TUG) to help arrange a meeting on 17-August at the venue of the DBARA monthly meetings in order to provide an opportunity to talk about the Volusia ARES changes.

Although I’ve not participated in the discussions, I have been monitoring the chatter on the DBARA Yahoo group and have “heard” quite a bit of rambling about this-and-that, including calls for an external review as well as elections for ARES officials…

It’s easy to write comments in an impersonal venue like a Yahoo group, so I won’t respond using that medium. So if you’ve had concerns, suggestions, gripes or otherwise regarding Volusia ARES, please come to the church (what great irony) and discuss them with us on 17-August at 19:00. We’ll plan on staying until 21:00 but will try not to leave any question unanswered.

I commit first to being a listener, then giving you honest and candid feedback.

Hope to see y’all there on Tuesday the 17th..

more tk

New Section Emergency Coordinator

Jul 23

Posted by mikelee in Flagler ARES Admin, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

For General Distribution
From Paul K. Eakin
ARRL Section Manager
Northern Florida Section
23-July-2010

“Good afternoon all,

This is a bitter sweet announcement concerning a change in the NFL SEC position.

Long time SEC, Joe Bushel, has asked me for two years to find a replacement so he could retire. Actually when I was running for office, he stated he was leaving when I took office.

Then sometime later he said, “You know what, I’m going to hang in there with you.” Over the last two years we have all worked together and have had some good results. He is still with me and a great friendship has developed along with a professional work team system.

Joe has some items on the plate he has given up on or let slip by, and new items jumping on the plate that he needs to manage. He also has a new motor home which he is getting ready to travel in.

With this being said, don’t count Joe out of the picture. He has agreed to help out if needed and will have some assigned duties that he will keep.

Ron Mettler, WB4GHU, ASM and past STM will step up to the position of NFL SEC.  His appointment date will be August 1st, 2010. Ron has been very active in the section for many years, holding many positions and contributing in many ways. He along with Joe has been my right hand man and has helped reshape the section in the last two years. One of Ron’s attributes is that he wants the job.

Ron vacated the position of STM, and Don Duckett, N9NM, will once again step into this position. Don is a favorite in the traffic world and has qualities that will benefit the traffic handling folks. He too wants the position which is a big help. Don takes over on August 1st , 2010.

Joe, W2DWR, will remain as an Assistant Section Manager and will be appointed as DEC of the Suwannee District, and will be a consultant, mentor and assistant (ASEC) to Ron. Joe will jump in if for some reason Ron isn’t available or we have two or more incidents in the section at the same time. These appointments will be effective on August 1st, 2010.

I am proud to say thank you Joe for your help and mentoring and thank you for wanting to stay involved in the program. One of the nice things coming out of being SM is having you as a friend and fellow team member.

Enjoy retirement and your support and thank you for the friendship.

73

Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org

NFL SM

850-591-0442

NNNN

Changes at Volusia ARES

Jul 20

Posted by mikelee in Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

Open Distribution from:
Michael Lee (WB6RTH) – District Emergency Coordinator
ARES East Cost District
Northern Florida Section

20-July-2010

Effective immediately, Doug Hubbs (K4DMH) has resigned his position as AEC in the Volusia County ARES organization, as well as his assignment as RACES Officer for Volusia County for personal reasons.

Doug has served the ARES organization and the community for many years and is known by virtually all amateurs in the area. His tireless service during the prior hurricanes helped to provide emergency communications to shelters, the EOC and the community at large. His service not be forgotten.

Now is the time for others to step-up and help take Volusia ARES to the next level – including into the digital realm with technologies such as WinLink2K and D-STAR. Although certainly NOT the “The ONLY Tool of choice” – they are a vital part of our communications arsenal and should not be ignored.

I look forward to working with Fred and the remaining staff to advance Volusia ARES into their next stage of growth – and I encourage ALL of you reading this blog to give them your wholehearted support. This is a new beginning for the group – and they will need (and have requested) all of our help going forward.