Communiqué from RAQI.
April 3, 2001
As you know, several months ago the Sûreté du Québec contacted me with a view to entering discussions with the aim of setting up a system whereby Radio Amateurs would assist the SQ with Search and Rescue in areas without good coverage by their own communications system.
I have already let you know in my last article in "Radio Amateur" that I would like to see that Radio Amateurs participating in these operations are well protected both personally and for the radio equipment which they provide. In January after a two day meeting at the SQ headquarters in Montreal, I was told that the SQ does not reimburse any personal equipment provided by volunteers which are lost, stolen or damaged while participating in operations at the request of the SQ.
As I told them it is not acceptable that volunteers must assume personally liability for any risk for their equipment provided to assist the SQ. They promised to verify this and get back to me within a week. I have had no further news other than an invitation to a weekend of further talks, in St-Jean this time.
Once again I raised the question and was advised as follows: It is not the policy of the Sûreté du Québec to reimburse volunteers for the theft, loss or damage to their personal equipment. This response came from a high level official within the SQ at their headquarters in Montreal. I have therefore taken this response as definitive.
A few days later I advised the RAQI Board of Directors who gave me the mandate to advise the SQ in writing that, for this reason, RAQI is withdrawing from these discussions.
It is part of my responsabilities as president of RAQI to ensure that Radio Amateurs are protected both personally and for their equipment when they assist the authorities.
At the same time I could be blamed if I did not make the Amateur Radio community aware of the situation as described above. Please pass the word along.
73,
Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA,
Président, RAQI.
Translation by James R. Hay, VE2VE, President, Montreal ARC
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