The Maritime Rescue Control Centre (MRCC) had their regular meeting on Thursday and Paul, ZS1PVS reported back on this meeting – with a little cause for concern.
There was general dissatisfaction at the level of involvement of the various organisations (volunteer groups?) at regional rescue centre level. It does not matter if it is either Maritime or Disaster Management!
Although no finger in particular was pointed at HAMNET (or any of the other volunteer groups), it is a point of concern that I personally have also highlighted to at least one of our local Disaster Management Mangers over the past few months! I cannot recall when we last (in Gauteng) had a Forum meeting or a ‘General Disaster Management Meeting’ to discuss issues.
This to me is cause for concern because if a major incident should happen at any time now, we have lost contact with our Governmental and Non Governmental Organisations simply to ensure and maintain continuity, communication and commitment!
I will be sending out this communiqué to not only as an item for today’s Amateur Radio Today, but also as a reminder that we should not lose contact with and maintain a close working relationship with our connections in various EMS, D/M or any committed organisation.
To some Provincial Directors, this may not be an issue as I am aware that many of you are very involved in your local D/M. But we should revitalise and urge our local D/M and EMS people to also keep us in the picture/loop even though things are ‘quiet at present’.
All we need is one major incident that needs major input from all various volunteer groups, that we don’t fall over each others feet and that the communication gap is now so wide, that it becomes an issue!
Things around our planet are constantly changing and we seem to be oblivious of some of the natural disasters that have happened over the past few years – and increasing!
We need to re-establish that commitment and connection with our various Government Departments and if necessary, urge them to communicate and meet with us – on a far more regular basis!
Reporting for Hamnet, this is Francois Botha – ZS6BUU.
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