I have been getting one or two e-mails each day wanting to know what the ARRL is doing (or not doing) about Homeland Security. Many of our members feel that the League is not doing anything. I have tried to reply to as many as I can telling them to sit tight and let us find out just where the best place amateur radio can serve. Below is a copy of a message that may help you explain to the members that we are indeed working hard to determine amateur radios role in Homeland Security. I plan to send the same out to the SM's so they too, can see that we are not just sitting on our hands.

Jim Haynie, W5JBP
President, ARRL

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AMATEUR RADIO AND HOMELAND SECURITY
WORKING GROUP


As discussed with you concerning meeting as a group of individuals
representing critical organizations involved in the use of the
Amateur Radio Service in emergencies, disasters, and homeland
security, a time and place has been arranged in the Washington, DC
Metro area to consider how we can better utilize this valuable
national resource in support of homeland defense/security.  This
meeting is planned for open discussion with information provided by
the participants present.  That is why the description, "Think
Tank"
has been used.

Meeting time and location:

9 AM – 1 PM, February 27, 2001

Embassy Suites Alexandria
1900 Diagonal Road
Alexandria, VA
(The location is at the Alexandria King Street Metro stop)
703-684-5900

We will meet in the East Wing.
The meeting will be listed with the hotel as the Amateur Radio
Working Group.

A closed/restricted list serve group has been set up to distribute
information among this working group:

NPSTC-ARS-WG@yahoogroups.com

The following is a list of invitees:

John Perry, American Red Cross
Maj. Pat McPherson, Salvation Army
Paul Reid, FEMA
Riley Hollingsworth, FCC
Jeanne Kowalski, FCC
Michael Wilhelm, FCC
Jim Haynie, ARRL
Steve Mansfield, ARRL
Chris Imlay, ARRL
Tom Sorley, Orange County, FL
Richard DeMello, FCCA, NPSTC
David Boyd, NIJ OJP OS&T
Ron Haraseth, APCO
Gene McGahey, NLECTC/NPSTC

Should you have questions or need additional information I can be
reached through the contact information below.

Regards,

Gene

Gene McGahey, Deputy Manager
Communications Technology - Technical Assistance
National Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology Center
Rocky Mountain Region - NPSTC Support Office
University of Denver
2050