amateur radio communications team

8/8/2019 Amateur Radio Communications Team

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Organization ofOrganization of

Amateur Radio in ICSAmateur Radio in ICSAmateur Radio Communications TeamsAmateur Radio Communications Teams

By: Brian Cook KI4HLW

www.emcommforum.org


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Incident Command SystemIncident Command System

A standardized onA standardized on--scene emergency managementscene emergency management

concept specifically designed to allow its users toconcept specifically designed to allow its users to

adopt an integrated organizational structureadopt an integrated organizational structureequal to the complexity and demands of singleequal to the complexity and demands of singleor multiple incidents, without being hindered byor multiple incidents, without being hindered by

jurisdictional boundaries.jurisdictional boundaries.


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It provides essential management using these aspects:It provides essential management using these aspects:

common terminologycommon terminology

modular organizationmodular organization

integrated communicationsintegrated communications

a unified command structurea unified command structure

consolidated action plansconsolidated action plans

manageable spanmanageable span--ofof--controlcontrol predesigned incident facilitiespredesigned incident facilities

comprehensive resource managementcomprehensive resource management


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It does all of this by organizing any emergencyIt does all of this by organizing any emergency

response effort into four basic functions:response effort into four basic functions:

1. planning/intelligence1. planning/intelligence2. operations2. operations3. logistics3. logistics

4. finance/administration4. finance/administration


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EMCOMMEMCOMM

Short forShort for EMEMergencyergencyCOMMCOMMunicationunication

Typically used to refer to Amateur Radio groupsTypically used to refer to Amateur Radio groupssuch as ARES but actually includes any and allsuch as ARES but actually includes any and all

Emergency Communications including:Emergency Communications including:

Computer NetworksComputer Networks Satellite Communications (Voice and Data)Satellite Communications (Voice and Data)

Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB)Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB)


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Communications fall under LogisticsCommunications fall under Logistics

Under ICS, Logistics is responsible for fillingUnder ICS, Logistics is responsible for filling

emergency requests for Communicationsemergency requests for Communications

services and equipment. This includes mutualservices and equipment. This includes mutualaid requests for ACS volunteers.aid requests for ACS volunteers.


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ICS uses ResourcesICS uses Resources

Resources are a group of a predetermined sizeResources are a group of a predetermined size

with a predetermined capability.with a predetermined capability.

With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized,With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized,

four character, mnemonic nomenclature systemfour character, mnemonic nomenclature system

to order all resources. It may be a fireto order all resources. It may be a firesuppression strike team, a task force, a medicalsuppression strike team, a task force, a medical

unit, or a communications unit.unit, or a communications unit.


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How Amateur Radio FitsHow Amateur Radio Fits

ARCT Resource TypingARCT Resource Typing was developed in 2003.was developed in 2003.

Introduced in QST in December 2003.Introduced in QST in December 2003.

Now in ARECC Level 3.Now in ARECC Level 3.

Active TYPE I ARCTS beingActive TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the WRRL.formed by the WRRL.

And aAnd a growinggrowing number of ARES and othernumber of ARES and otherEMCOMM units.EMCOMM units.

HasHas been cleared bybeen cleared by NIMS Resource CenterNIMS Resource Center


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The ARCTThe ARCT

The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur RadioThe ARCT is the resource title for Amateur RadioResources. It stands for Amateur RadioResources. It stands for Amateur RadioCommunications Team though some states use theCommunications Team though some states use the

term Auxiliary in place of Amateur.term Auxiliary in place of Amateur.

ARCTs may be preARCTs may be pre--existing units, but more than likelyexisting units, but more than likely

they will be assembled from existing registeredthey will be assembled from existing registeredEMCOMM operators at the time of the incident.EMCOMM operators at the time of the incident.


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ARCTTypesARCTTypes

ICS resources use Types to refer to the specificICS resources use Types to refer to the specific

size and capability of a resource.size and capability of a resource.

The lower the number the larger the resource.The lower the number the larger the resource.

There are 4 proposed types of ARCT resources.There are 4 proposed types of ARCT resources.


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ARCTType 4ARCTType 4

Mobile/Portable Field Additional SupportMobile/Portable Field Additional SupportUnitUnit

1 Individual licensed ARO with vehicle.1 Individual licensed ARO with vehicle.

Technician class or higher.Technician class or higher.

VHF FM (minimum) equipped.VHF FM (minimum) equipped.

May be assigned to a specific agency or toMay be assigned to a specific agency or to

supplement/relieve an existing ARCT.supplement/relieve an existing ARCT.

Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly.Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly.


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Mobile/Portable Field UnitsMobile/Portable Field Units

2 licensed and registered AROs with one or two2 licensed and registered AROs with one or twovehicles.vehicles.

Technician class or higher (At least 1 General orTechnician class or higher (At least 1 General orhigher if available.)higher if available.)

VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HFVHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF

mobile/portable desired .mobile/portable desired . May be assigned to a specific agency or toMay be assigned to a specific agency or to

supplement/relieve an existing multisupplement/relieve an existing multi--agencyagencyARCT.ARCT.


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Field/Base StationField/Base Station

Short range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF)Short range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF)voice and digital communications.voice and digital communications.

Is not dependant upon any outside powerIs not dependant upon any outside powersource or infrastructure.source or infrastructure.

4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with

one or two vehicles.one or two vehicles. May be assigned to a specific agency, or at aMay be assigned to a specific agency, or at a

staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agencystaging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agencyservice.service.


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Full Field Station and 4Mobile/Portable UnitsFull Field Station and 4Mobile/Portable Units

Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliaryComplete amateur radio emergency/auxiliarycommunications team for single or multiple agencycommunications team for single or multiple agency

communications.communications.

Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice andShort range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice anddigital communications. Is not dependant upon anydigital communications. Is not dependant upon anyoutside power source or infrastructure.outside power source or infrastructure.

12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and one12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and oneassistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT Type 2assistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT Type 2unit, and four Type 4 units.unit, and four Type 4 units.


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ARCT AdvantagesARCT Advantages

Clearly defined capabilities allow CommandersClearly defined capabilities allow Commanders

to quickly and easily call up the exact capabilitiesto quickly and easily call up the exact capabilitiesthey need.they need.

Standardized system allows better organizationStandardized system allows better organization

in mutual assistance or multi jurisdictionalin mutual assistance or multi jurisdictionalsituations.situations.


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EMCOMM Leadership under ICSEMCOMM Leadership under ICS

There is a current trend to define EMCOMMThere is a current trend to define EMCOMM

group leadership as to follow the ICS system.group leadership as to follow the ICS system.

All positions/responsibilities are pretty muchAll positions/responsibilities are pretty muchthe same as in current systems, many titles arethe same as in current systems, many titles arethe same also.the same also.

One person can hold more then one position asOne person can hold more then one position asneeded by group size.needed by group size.

Makes sure the responsible person for everyMakes sure the responsible person for every

aspect of the group is clearly defined.aspect of the group is clearly defined.


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ICS Organization LevelICS Organization Level

In ICS the Amateur Radio group would mostIn ICS the Amateur Radio group would most

likely be at the Unit level.likely be at the Unit level.


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ICS Leadership TitlesICS Leadership Titles

At the Unit level the EC would be a Leader.At the Unit level the EC would be a Leader.

The individual in charge of a single Resource iscalled a Boss.


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ICS modeled Leadership TitlesICS modeled Leadership Titles

Emergency CoordinatorEmergency Coordinator

Assistant Emergency CoordinatorAssistant Emergency Coordinator

Planning and Training CoordinatorPlanning and Training Coordinator

Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.)Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.)

Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment (e.g.Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment (e.g.--generators, batteries, transportation, etc.)generators, batteries, transportation, etc.)

Records and Reports CoordinatorRecords and Reports Coordinator

Same responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS organizationSame responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS organization


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For more info visit th

e WRRL websiteFor more info visit th

e WRRL websitehttp://wrrl.org/arct_program/http://wrrl.org/arct_program/

amateur radio communications team

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