Hello all stations:
I want to take this opportunity to update you on our efforts to realign the RACES program, and to thank you for yet another year of outstanding support to the Amateur Radio (AR) Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) effort.
As KD1CY pointed out in his message to SKYWARN, it has been an extraordinary year weather-wise, testing our systems and personal resolve. I want to take this moment to additionally thank those in ARES and RACES who contributed so much in relaying storm related damage, and bore a hand to help those agencies which provided recovery assistance.
Rapidly changing communication systems and critical budgetary changes within our state are causing important changes to be undertaken within the state and local EMCOMM organizations. Suffice to say, these clients don’t seem to need the assistance of past days but their needs today have not diminished, only changed. &n! bsp;We are working to meet that challenge. So far, we have been holding productive meetings with them to ascertain their real needs, and I’m pleased to report that good progress is being made. In the meantime, your needs and concerns are being represented by the leaders of ARES, RACES, and SKYWARN.
An effort to include more stakeholders in this effort which includes certain AR leaders of the ARC, among others, is being undertaken through the auspices of the Amateur Radio Working Group. I hope to report about these efforts in a meeting with all of you that is very similar to the old MRAS meeting, and field your questions sometime as early as February. In the meantime, please endeavor to support our efforts and training as before.
I look forward to our year working together in 2012.
NEW: Follow me on Twitter at WC1MA!
Please accept my wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year.
Regards and 73,
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting)
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee
Office Answering Service/FAX 978.389.0558
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