I would like to echo Levi's thoughts here and add my own. Being a fairly new ham I decided to get my license and learn more about amateur radio for basically three reasons. I was interested in two way radio in general, I was interested in emerging digital technologies, and I was particularly interested in emergency communications. My interest in emergency communications stems mainly from being right in the middle of the Tea fire in 2008. My wife and I used my business band radios to communicate as not only were cell phones not reliable at the time, the fire was so loud we could not hear anyone on the phone.
While I have indeed learned a lot about amateur radio with the help of people like Dave Milton, and have managed to learn a lot about digital technologies on my own, learning anything about emergency communications is difficult. I came into the club thinking that ARES was a function or SIG of the club. I also thought ARES did more than they apparently actually do. After two years in the club I still don't know what ARES actually does. I know they have a net on Monday and I have listened to dozens of them. But I have not heard of an ARES meeting, emergency communications class, or ARES exercise in over a year. And, to be honest, it makes me wonder how capable ARES is anyway as a group when some members have difficulty giving their own call phonetically. This does not make people want to stand up and volunteer.
On the other hand, I know of at least five other fairly new hams that are like me and came into amateur with an interest in emergency communications. We all scratch our heads and wonder who can tell us what we can do in Santa Barbara to participate. Calling for someone to lead is a good idea, but is there anyone who actually can? We can't overburden the few who already give so much of their time and expertise, so what do we do?
I myself would love to learn more about this. I know of several others that would love the opportunity as well. Andy, I know you mean well in trying to further emergency communications and agency cooperation but we need some ideas how to accomplish this. How can I as a member with an interest in this, but no specific training or experience, do anything? I don't have any interest in ARES, at least in it's present state, so what else can I do?
I have been following this thread with interest, but I have to admit it is over my head. I have never heard of most of the stuff you (Andy) are talking about. I know nothing about the County, or any other local agencies and how SBARC might cooperate with them. All I know is the little that W1UUQ has mentioned in passing conversation. I feel like I came in during the last ten minutes of the movie.
Probably 90% of the club is like me. Out of that group, there are probably a sizable number of people who are interested in emergency communications and serving others in an emergency but have no idea how we can do that. Before you check out of the discussion Andy, I for one would certainly like to hear you or someone roll it back a few steps, assume that some of us know nothing, and give us an idea for something we, as average members, can actually step up and do.