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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMOU- City of Crestview & North Oka. Amateur Radio ClubMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between The City of Crestview and North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club 2017 FOREWORD The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club (NOARC) was established in 1984 and is an active member of the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (ARRL). The ARRL is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs committed to the five pillars of Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as established by Part 97 of the Federal Communications Commission's regulations is the rendering of public service communication for the general public, particularly in times of emergency, when normal communications are not available. The amateur and amateur -satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. Operation of an amateur station requires an amateur operator license grant from the FCC. I. Purpose The purpose of this document is to state the terms of a mutual agreement between the City of Crestview, Florida (Crestview) and NOARC that will serve as a broad framework within which volunteer personnel of NOARC may coordinate their facilities and equipment with Crestview and its agencies for disaster communications. The activation of NOARC personnel to provide communications services will be predicated based on the direction of the Okaloosa County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Coordinator along with the coordination of the Chief, Crestview Fire Department. II. Definition of Disaster A disaster is either a natural or man-made occurrence that causes human suffering or human needs that the victims cannot alleviate without assistance and which rapidly depletes the resources of the responding agencies involved. It will be understood and agreed that members of NOARC will neither seek nor accept any duties other than that of Amateur Radio communications. III. Method of Cooperation In order that the emergency communications resources of Crestview may be coordinated and utilized to the fullest advantage during disasters, NOARC agrees to the following: A. NOARC will appoint a regular liaison with Crestview. This liaison will provide the closest possible cooperation and direct operational assistance by NOARC in emergency communications planning, and in the coordination of amateur radio communications facilities for disaster operations. B. Crestview welcomes the cooperation and assistance of NOARC to extend Amateur Radio emergency communications planning and operations into its jurisdiction. NOARC personnel serve as disaster volunteers for emergency communications, with such personnel reporting to the Chief of the Crestview Fire Department. NOARC volunteers will be required to take part in pre -disaster training and planning and to work with Crestview to provide amateur radio communications equipment and volunteers, and to meet the needs of their disaster communications plans. Crestview will conduct appropriate security clearance background checks on NOARC personnel who have access to areas where privileged information is available. C. When a disaster occurs requiring the use of amateur radio communications resources, NOARC may provide assistance to include, but is not limited to the following: a. The establishment and maintenance of fixed, mobile, and portable station emergency communication facilities for local radio coverage and point-to-point contact between public safety officials and locations, as required. b. Maintenance of the continuity of communications for the duration of the emergency period or until normal communications channels are substantially restored. c. Crestview understands NOARC personnel are not "first responders" but skilled communicators and their skills will be used accordingly. d. NOARC personnel understand their mission is to provide emergency communications services under the direction of the Chief. The Chief holds the final responsibility and ultimate decision making authority over all activities. e. The Chief understands NOARC radio operators are volunteers and while NOARC is dedicated to the service of helping others, sometimes full staffing is just not possible. NOARC will make every effort to fully staff the critical areas with operators. The Chief will provide a listing in priority order of the positions to filled first to assist NOARC in their staffing goals. In the event NOARC is unable to fully staff all of the vacant positions, the Chief will have the final decision of where to place the NOARC assets in order to provide the best utilization of these communications assets. D. NOARC agrees to supply Crestview with a list of liaison coordinators on an annual basis. Crestview agrees to supply NOARC with pertinent information and points of contact for the Fire Chief s office on an alma' basis. Ideally NOARC would staff Crestview during an emergency with a team of two to three working in either a twelve or eight hour shift cycle. NOARC will provide Crestview with a listing of the assigned NOARC staff and will to the greatest extent possible, keep the Chief informed of the schedule of NOARC personnel assigned to work during the designated emergency. E. Crestview will provide a lockable storage cabinet capable of securing NOARC's radio equipment when not in use. In addition, Crestview will provide NOARC personnel with computer access with Internet access while personnel are working on site. NOARC personnel will complete any required security clearance processing and information systems training required by Crestview deemed necessary for such computer access. F. NOARC will recommend to its membership that a standing committee be appointed within the club as a means of maintaining liaison with Crestview officials. Crestview will recommend to its leadership that local NOARC members be admitted to appropriate Crestview training classes on a no cost basis. Crestview will arrange for appropriate building access passes for designated NOARC personnel assigned to the Crestview facility. NOARC will designate personnel and provide the names and identifying information to the Chief for security clearance processing. G. Each organization will distribute copies of this MOU through its field structure, and make copies available to other organizations, both public and private, which may have an active interest in disaster operations. This agreement is in force as of the date indicated below, and shall remain in effect unless terminated by written notification from either party to the other. David Cadle, Mayor Attest: dia/ Ak_ 4/ 7 Elizabeth M Roy, City Clerk U