The ARES Team Concept How We Operate Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

The ARES Team Concept In the past We operated as individuals We had no direct supervision We were not always sure who we worked for We were not always sure what the mission was We were not always sure what our job was We did pretty much as we pleased

The ARES Team Concept In the last five or so years, things have changed and we, as ARES communicators, must change with the times

The ARES Team Concept NIMS and ICS concepts dictate That we operate as a team That we know where we, as communicators, fit in That we know who we work for That we know what our mission is That we know specifically what our job is

The ARES Team Concept Acting As A Team A team is a group of members under the direction of a leader The team leader is the “boss” Team members work for the team leader We are all volunteers Heard Many Times: “Volunteers don’t have to take orders” If you’re not willing to follow directions, perhaps you should find something else in amateur radio other than ARES

The ARES Team Concept Acting As A Team The team leader must be in charge at all times There is always a team leader The team leader will direct the team The team leader may change with the passage of time The team leader may appoint a deputy To act as the team leader in his or her absence

The ARES Team Concept Acting As A Team The team members must be willing to follow the directions of the team leader No matter what position a team member holds in ARES, they must follow the directions of the team leader Team members may make suggestions to the team leader, but the team leader is always in charge The team leader is ultimately responsible for the team

The ARES Team Concept An ARES Communications Support Team is made up of One team leader and one to four ARES communicators The makeup of the team is defined by your Emergency Operations Plan or by your Emergency Coordinator

The ARES Team Concept During an incident There may be a single ARES team operating There may be multiple ARES teams operating This depends on The complexity of the incident The communications needs of the incident The number of members on a team The operating location(s) of a team or teams This can change with time during the duration of an incident

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Leader Is part of a larger team during an incident The boss has a boss Is the immediate supervisor for all members of his or her team Briefs the team as to their deployments, where they report, who they report to, what equipment they need and what their job is

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Leader Is responsible for the team’s actions during an incident Keeps track of where members of the team are Is responsible for the safety of the team Is responsible for the operation of his or her team

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Leader Is ultimately responsible for all communications handled by the team Is responsible for all paperwork generated by the team Is responsible for preparing and submitting the team’s after action report Based on inputs from team members

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Member Ultimately reports to his or her team leader Is responsible to follow the directions of the team leader Is responsible for understanding the mission of the team Is responsible for understanding their job responsibilities within the team Is responsible for their own personal safety

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Member Is responsible for setting up and operating his or her equipment (or team equipment) at their deployed location Is responsible for all communications they handle at their deployed location Is responsible for maintaining the paperwork at their deployed location

The ARES Team Concept The ARES Communications Support Team Member Is responsible to return all paperwork to the team leader at the termination of the incident Is responsible to participate in an after action meeting with the team leader

The ARES Team Concept More on the ARES Communications Support Team Leader and the ARES Communications Support Team Members in later presentations

Presented By Maine ARES