ATTITUDE

Training Tip for 5/10/2006

Bob Kenyon – K8LJ

This week’s training tip deals with what I will refer to as the components necessary to support a three-legged stool that will allow someone to accomplish any task successfully. They are:

(1) an adequate level of intelligence

(2) knowledge of and skills related to the task

(3) having the proper attitude to accomplish the task.

Without any one of these legs being firmly in place, the stool will come crashing down.

Regarding item (1), that’s an innate gift that we can’t do much about because we were born as we are. The good news is the vast majority of us are well within the broad bell shaped curve of being “normal” and that’s sufficient for almost any task. End of discussion on this point.

Regarding item (2), that’s where training courses and sessions, formal nets, SET’s and other training exercises come into play. The training needs to match the task to be accomplished. A bit more on this shortly.

That leaves item (3), Attitude, which is emphasized in this training tip. A person could be of extremely high intelligence, have the absolute best training possible, but have a very poor attitude (cooperative spirit). The latter will counteract the other two positive attributes and the stool will fall.

The above comments are strictly my own opinion and views. What follows focuses on the topic of Attitude and draws heavily from this Web site:

http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/EComBas.pdf

The following material is used with permission, has been modified somewhat and some thoughts have been added. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Attitude

A person having just completed basic training as a fire fighter is not going to be expected by the public, his or her peers, or superiors to be as well capable of handling all aspects of the job as one who has undergone additional training beyond the basic level. Field experience in addition to on-going training is what makes a good firefighter. Why then is it that many in the Amateur Radio fraternity feel that having an operator’s license automatically makes him/her an asset to public safety communications? Unfortunately, this attitude is held by many amateurs and is an example of something that needs to be changed. To use an analogy, a driver’s license grants one the privilege of operating a personal vehicle on public streets and highways. But it does not entitle the person to drive a heavy truck for hire or carry passengers for hire. Proper training and experience is what produces a qualified operator, regardless of the endeavor. Another example: I can fly an airplane, but it took many hours of hands-on experience and proper instruction to learn how to do so competently. On the other hand, I don’t have a clue what to do when it comes to scuba diving. It appears to be a great sport and I would likely enjoy it. However, if I were to attempt it without proper instruction and training, the results could be fatal.

Nothing in the course of study from Technician to Extra Class Amateur licensing, makes anyone an emergency communications expert, or even an asset to the safety of the public. Unless a person is willing to undertake on-going training and thus gain experience, and subject him/herself to accepted standards of conduct and discipline, the license serves only as a minimum requirement for operation. In matters of emergency communications, this means you are expected to know much more than just how to connect and use a radio transceiver and antenna. You must also know how to communicate using the minimum number of words and operate in a directed net – without slowing the net down yet without being in a hurry. Also necessary is how to conduct yourself concerning sensitive communications like dealing with the press, and knowing your limitations as well as your assets. If you might possibly be dropped into the middle of a forest fire to provide emergency communications for professional and volunteer fire crews, then you need to know at least the basics of fire fighting, how it relates to your own safety, that of the public at large, and of the other members of the team. In short, you may think you are the best communicator in the world, but if you wind up in the thick of it, you surely want to know which way the wind is blowing, in addition to other knowledge about dealing with forest fires!

Before you begin the technical material involved in learning about Emergency Communication (Emcomm) it is imperative that you understand your knowledge in Emcomm is not actually as important as your attitude during emergencies. Yes, technical ability will enable you to do a far better job of communicating. But your attitude will help determine the overall success of any Amateur Radio effort. The person who brings a “know it all” or “Cowboy” attitude will only hamper relations with served agencies.

The people you will be serving – remember that word, serving – are professionals that have seen far too many people more interested in impressing someone than in getting the job done. You will actually impress them far more by being as quiet as possible and doing your job well. Results, with minimal interaction from the served agency people, will cement relations with that agency. Our served agencies also respond well when we demonstrate a positive attitude and make it quite clear exactly what we can for them, and also what we cannot.

Please keep in mind that Amateur Radio is largely a hobby. And it is also a service. However, Emcomm is a commitment! Simply stated, Emcomm requires an explicit mental commitment to help others. Please read that again. A commitment to help others. To be effective in Emcomm you will need to expend significant effort and time in training and practice. Many might say, “I’ve done that before, so I don’t need to practice.” This is most often not true. It will take time, a lot of time, if you are to become able and proficient in performing this task well. If you are willing to spend that time, then WELCOME!

Hams are patriotic, independent people and they are volunteers. The attitude among a few hams is that “volunteers don’t have to take orders.” That’s absolutely correct. We don’t have to take orders. But if you are not ready to follow instructions, you should probably find something to do outside of Emcomm!

A final thought to wrap thing up: Do not adjust, play with or fiddle with any piece of equipment in use for an incident, during that incident, unless it is malfunctioning and you have the knowledge to remedy it. Remember, an incident scene is not about radios and being a Ham. It’s about the incident and YOU will either be part of the solution or part of the problem. Your attitude will greatly contribute to the result. This concludes this week’s training tip.