When arriving on site and introducing yourself, there are TWO QUESTIONS you must ask:
1) To Whom Do I Report?
and
2) How Can I Help?

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Keeping Perspective
- What you ARE... and What You Are Not
The following is excerpted from the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) publication IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide. (2015) It contains principles and concepts that are universal to all Amateur Radio and ARES operators who are learning the culture of providing such support via Amateur Radio. This following excerpt is particularly helpful in understanding our role as ARES members.

“As important as what you are, is what you are not.
There are limits to your responsibilities as an emergency communicator, and it is important to know where to draw the line.


You are not a "first responder."
Except in rare cases of chance, you will seldom be first on the scene. You do not need flashing lights and sirens, gold badges, or fancy uniforms.

You have no authority.
In most cases, you cannot make decisions for others, or make demands on the agency you serve or any other agency. The only decisions you can make are whether to participate or not, and those affecting your own health and safety.

You are not in charge.
You are there to temporarily fulfill the needs of an agency whose communication system is unable to completely do its job. They tell you what they need, and you do your best to comply. “

Source:
www.iaru.org/emergency-telecommunications-guide.html

Letters: "What You Are Not"

The article "What You Are Not" in the October 22, 2015, issue perfectly captures the pre-9/11, pre-ICS view of Amateur Radio in emergencies.

In the post-9/11 era, our role has evolved to the point where we are seen more as trained communications experts who can be embedded in and expect to have defined leadership roles.

We are now more involved with emergency communications planning, and are expected to make decisions within our scope of practice.

Our government partners treat us more as advisors and peers; we are careful to take their direction and coaching.

We now have advanced skills, more quality and quantity of volunteers and more capable, resilient communications infrastructure to offer (such as emerging high speed data radio networks).
-- Erik Westgard, NY9D, St. Paul, Minnesota

Source:
ARRL ARES E-Letter Issues - December 2015
www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2015-12-16#toc05