Too Much of a Good Thing?

More than one professional in the field of Search and Rescue or Emergency Response Management has been known to say that “hams can be too much of a good thing.” What they refer to is the propensity of hams to respond en-mass to a call out without regard to their own skills, physical limitations, body condition, time commitment, and mental state.

Over time, these professionals, often “hams” themselves, reach a state where they decline to again issue a call out or utilize other hams in their operations. In essence, they’ve been “burned” once too often by the untrained and unskilled responders who think just because they hold an Amateur Radio license they are natural emergency operators. Their experience proves that merely holding a “ham” license does not an emergency responder make. It takes effort, study and training to be a good emergency responder. Search and Rescue teams know that because of their endless training and drills. They welcome with open arms seriously interested Radio Amateurs who have the self-discipline to undergo rigorous training similar to theirs and the commitment to stay with the program. Think about it. What kind of a potential responder are you? Are you in the small, but elite, fraternity of those highly trained and dedicated? Or are you in a larger group of those with a little training, a little knowledge and fluctuating interest? Or are you in the largest group that has no training, no knowledge of emergency communications, but feel you can help just because you have an Amateur Radio license? Which of these three groups would you like to have assisting if YOUR family’s life and well being were at stake? —-Cary Mangum, W6WWW

Originally published as RACES Bulletin 286, by the California Office of Emergency Services, on August 9, 1993

The Comm Log: Do you "Ham" a Problem?

n7fan:

This piece is from 1993, but it’s still true to this day!

Let’s face it, for the fact that it is: some governments don’t really understand about Emergency Communications Units; they don’t really understand how to work with and utilize volunteers, including hams, some of whom are…

Amateur Radio related.

The Comm Log: Do you "Ham" a Problem?

Do you "Ham" a Problem?

This piece is from 1993, but it’s still true to this day!

Let’s face it, for the fact that it is: some governments don’t really understand about Emergency Communications Units; they don’t really understand how to work with and utilize volunteers, including hams, some of whom are professional communicators.

As a friend of mine put it recently, “Some government people have been “had” —- burned and worn out mentally —- by “hams” who are just that, amateurs (with the small letter “a”) with no real ability at communications; no interpersonal people skills; not willing to work cooperatively; who just don’t fit the type of people that an administrator wants to associate with, work with or be around. Unfortunately, the ham who is responsible for such affairs seldom, if ever, can grasp the significance of his/her actions in causing such unfortunate results. Regretably, once an agency person has experienced such an unpleasant situation, it can seriously hamper the efforts of more qualified professionals who come along later.”

Quite true, I agreed. One idea that came to mind after our discussion was this: avoid the use of “ham” or “amateurs”. Speak in terms of professional communicators who work without pay, similar to a Search and Rescue Unit (SAR). Call it an ECS Unit - Emergency Communications Support Unit or something similar and raise the expectation up to the emotional “want” level. Stay away from “ham” acronyms that can confuse or trigger past memories.

S/S Cary Mangum, W6WWW, State OES Chief Radio Officer

Originally published as RACES Bulletin 286, by the California Office of Emergency Services, on August 9, 1993