State of California OES ACS Newsletter

January 27, 2003

Published weekly (except for vacations and emergencies) by the Auxiliary Communications Service, State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Articles in this Issue

Message from the editor
EMCOMM Bulletin 378

Message from the editor
This newsletter has been and can continue to be a critical means of getting information to those who serve OES ACS and to those who serve other agencies and subscribe. I am asking that you make every effort to contribute to this newsletter because I know there are stories and information with significance that I am missing. My OES email is in development. You may also contact me.

EMC378 EMCOMM Officers Hdbk 12
To: Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin To: Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio By: Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

EMC378 EMCOMM Officers Hdbk 12 Release 1/27/03

MUTUAL AID, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE DISTINGUISHED

Handbook sections 8a and 8b (EMC373 and 374) covered Government Mutual Aid and said that there is a difference between government agency Mutual Aid (MA), Local Government Assistance (LGA), and Mutual Assistance as used by some Amateur Radio groups. Greater detail of these three will be covered in a separate bulletin group with examples.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE Mutual Aid is for emergencies in contrast for LGA which is used to augment a jurisdiction's resources during 'planned events' where the event organizer (either a 'profit' or 'non profit' entity) provides for the expenses of augmentees (usually Law Enforcement, but can be Fire, Medical Services or communications, including government registered Amateur Radio units) via a contract with the host jurisdiction. In CA LGA is used when no incident or emergency occurs but where public safety coverage is needed and the host jurisdiction cannot provide the level of resources required. Incident, resource and mission numbers are NOT assigned nor issued in CA OES for the LGA as it is a local function.

The host jurisdiction itself recruits the assistance from other jurisdictions. In CA this can include OES ACS or Public Safety assets such as the Satellite Trailers or Comm Vans. Yet, the CA OES Mutual Aid Regions do not get involved directly in the process. The host jurisdiction will FYI CA OES so that CA OES is aware of the impact on resources available just in case an incident occurs in the same area that may require Mutual Aid.

The types of expenses (depending on the jurisdiction or agency) for volunteers MAY include: travel, room, board and workers compensation insurance and/or some sort of liability insurance.

There is another type of event that can be confused with the LGA; namely the Public Display Event or Demonstration (PDE or DEMO). It can look like a LGA and may be accomplished LIKE a LGA...but it is _not_ LGA. An example of this would be an operating display of a Communications Van or a recruiting booth at the County Fair.

HOWEVER, if the purpose of the equipment and/or personnel is/are to be used by the requesting agency as communications for say, crowd control, it would be LGA from CA State OES's perspective. However, it is important to note that there are CA counties who have requested "Mutual Aid" for crowd control in public events, such as political conventions, dignitary visits and festivals. Yet, characteristically the distinction between Mutual Aid and LGA and PDE or DEMO is that Mutual Aid is for EMERGENCIES and LGA and PDE or DEMO are for non emergency situations. The PDE or DEMO is a situation that obviously is NOT emergency. A LGA can easily be a situation that could avoid an emergency (such as the illustrated crowd control.)

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California OES ACS HQ facility contact information: Auxiliary Communications Service Program, Room A-139 Governor's Office of Emergency Services P.O. Box 419047, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9047

Copyright 2002 by State of California OES ACS. All or any part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or quoted, provided that credit be given to this issue of the State of California "ACS Newsletter."

Opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of State of California OES ACS. State of California Office of Emergency Services and its "ACS Newsletter" editor, Gary Crowe, Ph.D. KG6HIM, do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever.

73, Gary Crowe, Ph.D. "ACS Newsletter" Editor State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Operations Support Branch Auxiliary Communications Service Tel: (916) 489-8709 Fax: (916) 488-0148 E-mail: