Amateurs in an affected area must take care of their families first. During a flood or after a hurricane your family may need to be prepared for loss of city water or AC power for a week or more. If you live in the affected area you may be unable to help with communications until your family has been safely evacuated or sheltered.

It is necessary for RACES members statewide to be trained, prepared and ready, so that they may deploy to help surrounding communities in need.

The American tradition of neighbors helping each other is the foundation of Mutual Aid compacts used nationwide. Multi-jurisdictional planning and standardized training that goes beyond the city or county to the entire District is essential. That way Emergency Managers know that everyone understands how the Emergency Plan works and is reading from the same sheet of music.