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Author Topic: MARS mission question  (Read 5764 times)

W7WHM

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MARS mission question
« on: February 08, 2004, 03:36:13 AM »

I understand the shift in MARS' mission to one of providing emergency communications support during major emergency situations, but I am wondering what that means in practical terms.  I know specific responses would be determined by the nature of the emergency, but what sorts of roles do MARS volunteers prepare for?  Do MARS operators train to operate primarily out of their home stations for message handling or do you plan on responding to a government site/facility to help as needed?  Are MARS operators expected to show up on-site in support of, say, a major FEMA operation?

I live in southwestern Washington and have thought about joining Washington State Army MARS but I don't think I have a good understanding of what you really do - how you train, what specific roles you fill, what the real expectations are, etc.  I participate in the local ARES/RACES group but I presume there is no conflict with also volunteering with MARS.

I would appreciate any comments you might have.

Wally
W7WHM
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N3SKO

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MARS mission question
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2004, 01:21:24 PM »

I suggest that you start here: http://wa.mars.hfradio.org/ .  And then contact the Washington Army MARS State Director with your remaining questions.  A lot of things, such as deployment, are a local issue depending on MOUs.

73,
john
AAT3BF/AAM3O/AAA3DE/AAA9AC
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KC5FM

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MARS mission question
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2004, 04:19:54 PM »

I will answer from the Navy-Marine Corp side, only to tell you that the web site mentioned previously explains quite well what the mission of MARS is.

In short, it is Emergency Communications.

MARS operators have, in my local area, practiced in a HAZMAT drill, a terrorist attack, and a radiological dispersion device drill.  In the latter, they were the link between the EOC and the military unit assisting our Incident Commander.

I hope you can see the value of MARS and will join, regardless of the service you choose.  While you indicate a desire to join Army MARS and have the web site to do so, I will, for subsequent readers, point you to http://www.navymars.org where you will find links to both Air Force and Army MARS.

Let me know how more I can help.


Lloyd Colston      Mayes County CEM
Pryor, OK USA      http://www.geocities.com/mccem
      Homeland Security begins at Home.
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NW7US

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MARS mission question
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2004, 02:33:41 AM »

Hi,

I am the newly appointed Washington State Army MARS Director (SMD).  I welcome you to ask me detailed questions that you might have about our State MARS program.

The Washington State MARS membership is a group of very helpful and friendly volunteers.  Our activities vary from daily Net activities on HF, to training exercises and finally, communications support in times of need.

The level of involvement by any member is that member's choice alone.  The Army MARS minimum requirement is 12 hours per quarter (every three months).  This is total time, on-air or off-air.  There are those members who give their support by being on daily Nets whenever they have time in their busy schedules.  There are other members who are quite dedicated to all things emergency communications related.  They go many extra miles and put in many extra hours.  The choice is totally the individual's.

Our daily Nets are informative, with training and time for fostering a closer team.  Training includes digital mode operation, communications procedures and protocols, and related topics.  Most members find this approach very helpful and inviting.

Check out our webpage, as suggested earlier in this discussion: http://wa.mars.hfradio.org/

I welcome you to get ahold of me to discuss any questions you have.

Tomas Hood
AAA0WA / NW7US
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