What does the future hold? AuxComm and ARES(R): What does the future hold?

What’s the crystal ball say? Here’s what you can do. Topics Purpose of ARES® What is AuxComm Current issues What’s the crystal ball say? Here’s what you can do.

Process Drivers Opportunity for Amateur Radio Operators to be used as Auxiliary Communicators Bridge existing gaps that limit use of Amateur Radio Operators Ensure consistent training and is trackable

ARES® Purpose The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.  We support a served agency, community group or other entity. We rely on totally on volunteers and their equipment.

The Past Severe weather Hurricanes Tornadoes Disasters 9-11 response Earthquakes Floods Community Events Marathons Bicycle rides

Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Brought several issues into focus Current Impacts Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Brought several issues into focus Who can respond and is ready Is their training complete Do they have a base knowledge

Current Impacts ARES Strategic Plan Sets forth training requirements Sets up a progression of responsibility Updates the obligations of field appointments Still under BOD review Overall a good move and added some professionalism But, ARRL became an entity Dictation of training should be by the served agency Did not allow for grandfathering ICS 300 and 400 required 7 Professional Development classes

Current impacts ARES Connect Internet Application to identify those ARES Amateur Radio Operators with specific skills Ensures that training is Up-To-Date Accounts for volunteer time and activities Calendar function for scheduling nets, activities

Current impacts AuxComm (Auxiliary Communications) Supported by ARES in Illinois AuxComm is not in widespread use AuxComm activity is part of the ICS Removes the ARES/RACES questions Direct connection to the served agency Agency knows the qualifications of those that respond

What is AuxComm?  “AUXCOMM” is an umbrella term and acronym for “auxiliary communications.” It was developed by DHS/OEC in 2009 with the assistance of amateur radio subject matter experts.  The concept behind the acronym was to educate as many amateur radio entities to work and train with public safety personnel, understand the value of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) concept and the role of the communications unit leader (COML). AUXCOMM, although not an official national ICS position as of yet, is most often identified as a Technical Specialist (THSP) in the Communications Unit of the NIMS ICS structure.  Some States, Counties, and municipalities have adopted the term

Intro to AuxComm Will be held at the ILEAS training facility on February 2-3 Train the Trainer on February 2 Students will come on February 3 High interest in the class Even more interest in the full 20 hr AuxComm Course Course content addresses: The functions and duties of the Auxiliary Communicators How the AuxComm personnel works within the ICS structure Potential best Practices

What’s the Crystal Ball say? ARES will still be needed as the ARRL Field Organization Community events will still need support As AuxComm becomes generally accepted, interest will continue to grow EMA letter per Joe Galvin, SWIC, was sent to EMA directors summer of 2018 encouraging them to consider AuxComm group

Support your local ARES/AuxComm group Attend meetings/nets Here is what you can do… Support your local ARES/AuxComm group Attend meetings/nets Align yourself with an entity Drill/exercise when ever you can with who ever you can.

Questions ?