EMERGENCY RESPONSE RADIO SYSTEM
PRINCIPLES
U.S. and Canada
8/10/2000
1. Emergency communications specialists and station operators are called to serve Church leaders and act under their direction.   Headquarters Emergency Response Radio System (ERRS) provides technical support and training.

2. When responding to an emergency, emergency communications specialists and station operators are communicators, not decision-makers.

3. "Church Welfare Resources" is the Church policy statement on emergencies.

4. Emergency communications specialists and station operators provide Church leader communications only.  Health and welfare traffic is the responsibility of others.

5. Church leaders use the telephone if available. Emergency communications specialists and station operators are a backup to the telephone.

6. Emergency communications specialists and station operators respond  to the communications needs of Church leaders, enabling them to  communicate among the wards and stakes and also outside the stakes as required, including communications with the nearest bishop's storehouse that has a radio. The ultimate goal is for stake presidents or chairmen of regional welfare committees to reach the General Authorities in Salt Lake City and to access local welfare   resources.

7. Although amateur radio is generally the most effective mode of emergency communications, Church leaders are not limited to amateur radio.  Emergency communications specialists should recommend whatever mode works most effectively (i.e. Family Radio Service, Citizens Band radio, runners, etc.).

8. The authority for emergency communications specialists and station operators to activate this communications network is limited to:  1) exercises involving ERRS radio nets,  or 2) communications  during an emergency while serving Church leaders.  Utilization of the System for any other reason requires authorization by the appropriate Church leader.  Church leaders have been counseled against conducting mock disasters or emergency exercises involving Church members.

9. The primary responsibility of emergency communications specialists and station operators is to organize existing resources to accomplish communication goals, not promote amateur radio.

10. It is appropriate to recommend the sharing of amateur radio operators between stakes, especially when stake leaders do not have an amateur radio operator within the stake boundaries.