In the Announcement forum (www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/announcement...s-for-ares-operators), I gave my forecast of what I see coming down the 'pike here in CT with regards to mandatory certifications for us ARES folks.

We have been "lucky" in the sense that the state of Connecticut has been a bit slow to incorporate the Training and Certification "requirements" for ARES members that other states have been demanding for the past 5 years⁺.

Example:
(www.ncarrl.org/ares/training.html)

Training for ARES and RACES Required by North Carolina Emergency Management

NC Section ARES/RACES Training Policy

Our operations must comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). We operate under the Incident Command System (ICS) when activated.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now requires all volunteers, including Amateur Radio operators to be certificated in at least IS 100,IS 200, IS 700 and IS 800 course material. For non-governmental employees and others without access to classroom instruction, these courses are available as on-line independent-study courses that are free of charge.

THOSE AMATEUR OPERATORS WHO MAY BE DEPLOYED TO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS (EOCs), COMMAND POSTS, PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWER POINTS (911 CENTERS) OR OTHER POINTS WHERE INTERFACE WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT ANY LEVEL IS EXPECTED, ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and IS 800.

Several Amateur Radio operators have voiced public complaints regarding having to take this training. This document serves to make clear the policy of NC Section ARES®/RACES.

No one is compelled to take these courses. However, any previously registered ARES/RACES volunteers who have not completed the required training will be listed in our internal records as "non-certified" and will not be deployed to any site during any activation or drill.

Any operators who "self-deploy" and are not on the registered lists as "certified" will not participate in activities where certification is required (all activities).

ARES/RACES operators who complete the requirements at any time will be re-listed as "certified" in our internal records.

This is not intended to be an affront to any individuals or groups. It is, however, intended to bring our overall organization into compliance with DHS requirements.
Mandatory Training

Why?
Two events have changed the training world: 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

During recovery efforts for these two events, We learned that the various agencies and volunteer organizations did not work well together. This training was developed to remedy this situation.
- The agencies we service require this training.

- Required by North Carolina Governor's Proclamation.

- It's easy. It takes less than 1/2 a day.

- Federally mandated way for federal, state, and local groups, and also for volunteer groups to communicate with each other.

- It gives us credibility. First, we know how to talk to the government officials. Second, the fact that we have been trained and know the language gives us credibility when we enter a site.

- Emergency entities that receive federal money to pay for equipment must be ICS compliant.

- As of July 1, 2010, everyone in North Carolina at the EC level and up must be ICS compliant.

Who?
- All North Carolina ARES Appointees and Officials at the EC level or above.
- Any ARES member participating in exercises or real emergencies with any of the served organizations.

North Carolina Emergency Management Training Courses
These courses are mandated by the State of North Carolina. They are developed by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

IS-100
IS-200
IS-700
IS-800b (If you have already had an 800 course, you do not have to take it again)

Some EOCs require additional courses. For example, Pitt and Orange counties require IS-300 and IS-400. All Emergency Coordinators must contact the local Emergency Management department and other agencies served to determine what additional training is needed for their respective county or counties.

For now if we are certified, it's lifetime.

How to Get the Training
These courses are internet-based self-study. They are available free of charge from the FEMA web site.
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BOTTOM LINE
I see a light at the end of the tunnel...
and the train(ing) is headed straight for us.

Doug,

I read the article in the March '12 QST you mention in your message the other day. In that article, it mentioned (in addition to the FEMA courses) some ARRL Emergency Communication courses. Will these become a requirement as well? Or are a requirement we haven't discussed yet? What order should the course be taken in, assuming a mixed of ARRL and FEMA courses?

Thanks,
Mike
KB3IXO

Hi Mike,
Good question.

I would suggest doing the 4 FEMA courses (100, 200, 700, 800) first.
- These 4 courses are what will be required in the (near?) future to be able to participate.
- They are Easy & Self-paced.
- Time is only 2 to 3 hours per course
- And, best of all.... they are FREE.

Then, after those have been completed, I would hope that everyone would take ARRL's "Introduction to Emergency Communication" (aka: EmComm Level 1) EC-001 for extra credit.

This course is required, right now, for folks who want to become an Emergency Coordinator [EC] in CT ARES.
- The pre-requisites for this course are: IS 100 & IS 700.

You can take this:
- On-line: $50 (ARRL members) over 9 weeks.
or
- In person, $60, IN ONE DAY, on May 19 in West Haven.

After that, everything else is optional.
When you get to this point, contact me and I will advise.

I didn't realize there was an online version for ARRL members (if we can't make it to the 5/19 date). Thanks!

Just remember that the "on-line" version WILL take you 9 WEEKS! [EEK!] to accomplish.

So, my suggestion is to sign up for the May 19th ONE DAY CLASS in West Haven.

I promise you that it will be worth it!