Organization of Amateur Radio in ICS Amateur Radio Communications Teams By: Brian Cook KI4HLW

Incident Command System A standardized on-scene emergency management concept specifically designed to allow its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

Incident Command System Provides essential management using these aspects: common terminology common terminology modular organization modular organization integrated communications integrated communications a unified command structure a unified command structure consolidated action plans consolidated action plans manageable span-of-control manageable span-of-control predesigned incident facilities predesigned incident facilities comprehensive resource management comprehensive resource management

Incident Command System It does all of this by organizing any emergency response effort into four basic functions: 1. planning/intelligence 2. operations 3. logistics 4. finance/administration

EMCOMM Short for EMergency COMMunication Short for EMergency COMMunication Typically used to refer to Amateur Radio groups such as ARES® but actually includes any and all Emergency Communications including: Typically used to refer to Amateur Radio groups such as ARES® but actually includes any and all Emergency Communications including: Computer Networks Computer Networks Satellite Communications (Voice and Data) Satellite Communications (Voice and Data) Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB) Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB)

Communications fall under Logistics Under ICS, Logistics is responsible for filling emergency requests for Communications services and equipment. This includes mutual aid requests for ACS volunteers.

ICS uses Resources Resources are a group of a predetermined size with a predetermined equipment capability. Resources are a group of a predetermined size with a predetermined equipment capability. With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized, four character, mnemonic nomenclature system to order all resources. It may be a fire suppression strike team, a task force, a medical unit, or a communications unit. With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized, four character, mnemonic nomenclature system to order all resources. It may be a fire suppression strike team, a task force, a medical unit, or a communications unit.

How Amateur Radio Fits ARCT Resource Typing was developed in ARCT Resource Typing was developed in Introduced in QST in December Introduced in QST in December Now in ARECC Level 3. Now in ARECC Level 3. Active TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the WRRL. Active TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the WRRL. And a growing number of ARES® and other EMCOMM units. And a growing number of ARES® and other EMCOMM units. Has been cleared by NIMS Resource Center Has been cleared by NIMS Resource Center

The ARCT The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur Radio Resources. It stands for “Amateur Radio Communications Team” though some states use the term “Auxiliary” in place of “Amateur”. The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur Radio Resources. It stands for “Amateur Radio Communications Team” though some states use the term “Auxiliary” in place of “Amateur”. ARCTs may be pre-existing units, but more than likely they will be assembled from existing registered EMCOMM operators at the time of the incident. ARCTs may be pre-existing units, but more than likely they will be assembled from existing registered EMCOMM operators at the time of the incident. [Remember that reference to “Standardized Training”?] [Remember that reference to “Standardized Training”?]

ARCT Types ICS resources use Types to refer to the specific size and capability of a resource. ICS resources use Types to refer to the specific 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.

ARCT Type 4 Mobile/Portable Field Additional Support Unit 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 to supplement/relieve an existing ARCT. May be assigned to a specific agency or to supplement/relieve an existing ARCT. Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly.

ARCT Type 3 Mobile/Portable Field Units 2 licensed and registered AROs with one or two vehicles. 2 licensed and registered AROs with one or two vehicles. Technician class or higher (At least 1 General or higher if available.) Technician class or higher (At least 1 General or higher if available.) VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF mobile/portable desired. VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF mobile/portable desired. May be assigned to a specific agency or to supplement/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT. May be assigned to a specific agency or to supplement/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT.

ARCT Type 2 Field/Base Station Short range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF) voice and digital communications. Short range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF) voice and digital communications. Is not dependent upon any outside power source or infrastructure. Is not dependent upon any outside power source or infrastructure. 4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with one or two vehicles. 4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with one or two vehicles. May be assigned to a specific agency, or at a staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agency service. May be assigned to a specific agency, or at a staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agency service.

ARCT Type 1 Full Field Station and 4 Mobile/Portable Units Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliary communications team for single or multiple agency communications. Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliary communications team for single or multiple agency communications. Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice and digital communications. Is not dependent upon any outside power source or infrastructure. Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice and digital communications. Is not dependent upon any outside power source or infrastructure. 12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and one assistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT Type 2 unit, and four Type 4 units. 12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and one assistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT Type 2 unit, and four Type 4 units.

ARCT Advantages Clearly defined capabilities permit Incident Commanders to quickly and easily call up the exact capabilities they need. Clearly defined capabilities permit Incident Commanders to quickly and easily call up the exact capabilities they need. Standardized system allows better organization in mutual assistance or multi jurisdictional situations. Standardized system allows better organization in mutual assistance or multi jurisdictional situations.

EMCOMM Leadership under ICS There is a current trend to define EMCOMM group leadership as to follow the ICS system. There is a current trend to define EMCOMM group leadership as to follow the ICS system. All positions/responsibilities are pretty much the same as in current systems, many titles are the same also. All positions/responsibilities are pretty much the same as in current systems, many titles are the same also. One person can hold more then one position as needed by group size. One person can hold more then one position as needed by group size. Makes sure the responsible person for every aspect of the group is clearly defined. Makes sure the responsible person for every aspect of the group is clearly defined.

ICS Organization Level In ICS the Amateur Radio group would most likely be at the Unit level.

ICS Leadership Titles At the Unit level the EC would be a Leader. The individual in charge of a single Resource is called a Boss.

ICS modeled Leadership Titles Emergency Coordinator Emergency Coordinator Assistant Emergency Coordinator Assistant Emergency Coordinator Planning and Training Coordinator Planning and Training Coordinator Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.) Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.) Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment (e.g.- generators, batteries, transportation, etc.) Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment (e.g.- generators, batteries, transportation, etc.) Records and Reports Coordinator Records and Reports Coordinator Same responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS organization

So, what does it all mean for us? By using “resource typing”, we are able provide EMA personnel with a means of describing our capabilities within their frame of reference. By using “resource typing”, we are able provide EMA personnel with a means of describing our capabilities within their frame of reference. In short, if you going to work with these agencies, you have to speak their language. In short, if you going to work with these agencies, you have to speak their language. Makes it easier/simpler for them to request our assistance to meet their needs/requirements. Makes it easier/simpler for them to request our assistance to meet their needs/requirements.

Where Do We Begin? Nearly all Iowa ARES groups can field one (or more) Type IV ARCT teams. Nearly all Iowa ARES groups can field one (or more) Type IV ARCT teams. It is a small step up to be able to deploy a Type III ARCT Team. It is a small step up to be able to deploy a Type III ARCT Team. Many Iowa ARES groups can deploy Type II ARCT Teams. Many Iowa ARES groups can deploy Type II ARCT Teams. Regionally (at the District Level?) it’s entirely possible to have a Type I ARCT Team. Regionally (at the District Level?) it’s entirely possible to have a Type I ARCT Team.

First Steps: Start by developing several Type IV Teams. Start by developing several Type IV Teams. Gain proficiency by actually fielding these teams to gain experience in operations. Note: doing it once is not enough—practice makes perfect. Gain proficiency by actually fielding these teams to gain experience in operations. Note: doing it once is not enough—practice makes perfect. When your people are comfortable operating as one or more Type IV Teams, move to the next step and work to assemble Type III Teams. Again, practice, practice, practice. When your people are comfortable operating as one or more Type IV Teams, move to the next step and work to assemble Type III Teams. Again, practice, practice, practice.

The Next Steps: When your folks are proficient at functioning as a Type III Team, work to develop a Type II Team. Not something that’ll happen quickly. When your folks are proficient at functioning as a Type III Team, work to develop a Type II Team. Not something that’ll happen quickly. Naturally training/certification goes hand-in- hand along with this. Naturally training/certification goes hand-in- hand along with this. Likewise so does documentation of that training. Team leader should be responsible for maintaining that documentation—and have it available when requested by EMA folks. Likewise so does documentation of that training. Team leader should be responsible for maintaining that documentation—and have it available when requested by EMA folks.

For more info visit the WRRL website