The Inter-Agency Telecommunications Action Plan (ITAP) By; Mark Wood G4HLZ National Radio Project Officer, British Red Cross. For; Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications conference, Tampere, Finland June

“Everyone agrees there must be coordination, but no one wants to be coordinated”.

The Problem; The UK is blessed with at least two competing voluntary aid societies, with many more in unofficial capacities. St. John Ambulance brigade pre-dates Red Cross, is the senior service. British Red Cross has a somewhat different status than in the USA for example RAYNET is one amateur Radio society UK Resilience is a new government body aimed at coordinating emergency relief efforts. No one is in charge!The Problem; The UK is blessed with at least two competing voluntary aid societies, with many more in unofficial capacities. St. John Ambulance brigade pre-dates Red Cross, is the senior service. British Red Cross has a somewhat different status than in the USA for example RAYNET is one amateur Radio society UK Resilience is a new government body aimed at coordinating emergency relief efforts. No one is in charge!

The Problem; The voluntary aid societies had no common radio channels, there was also no way to communicate between an ambulance and its Ham Radio escort vehicle or control point.The voluntary aid societies had no common radio channels, there was also no way to communicate between an ambulance and its Ham Radio escort vehicle or control point. Due to not wanting to favorite one competing organization, we found it hard to get favors from government.Due to not wanting to favorite one competing organization, we found it hard to get favors from government. No organization would accept the authority of the other to coordinate them.No organization would accept the authority of the other to coordinate them.

The Problem; ITAP BRCSJARAYNETUK RES.

The Problem; ITAP BRCSJARAYNETUK RES.

The Problem; ITAP BRC SJA RAYNET UK RES.

Achievements; We all have a common frequency and tone plan, each can now work with the other as is often done now.We all have a common frequency and tone plan, each can now work with the other as is often done now. RAYNET obtained an unused repeater from the Surrey government.RAYNET obtained an unused repeater from the Surrey government. Work has started on the MoU and best practices.Work has started on the MoU and best practices. We can now negociate with the regulator as a unified block, so there is no favoritism issue.We can now negociate with the regulator as a unified block, so there is no favoritism issue.

ITAP-UK By Mark Wood G4HLZ. The End