1. Forsyth County AUXCOMM - ARES OPERATIONS
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

2. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Course Outline
What is ARES?
What Is AUXCOMM?
What About RACES?
Forsyth County AuxComm / ARES
Mission
Structure
Communications Plans
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

3. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Course Outline
Why We Train
Required Training
Recommended Training
On Air Training
Comex
Qualification Levels ID
Application Process – AuxComm
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

4. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
What is ARES?
ARES is the function of the Amateur Radio Relay League Field Organization which coordinates ham radio response as communicators in disaster situation and public service events. Local ARES units are formed at the county level and are led by an appointed volunteer Emergency Coordinator (EC). Effective this year ARES has training and certification requirements have changed.
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

5. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
What is AuxComm?
AUXCOMM is a DHS Emergency Support Function (ESF-2) that covers all supplemental communications support for emergency and disaster situations. As DHS and most states have done, the State of North Carolina has designated AuxComm as the RACES equivalent within the state and placed Amateur Radio primary within that designation. AuxComm includes ARES, CERT communications, REACT, etc. within ESF-2. 
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

6. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
What About RACES?
RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Licensed stations that are registered with local Civil Defense (Emergency Management). Per FCC Regulations, only these stations may operated once the President activates the War Powers Act. In NC AuxComm is considered RACES. However you must meet all training requirements and be registered in the AuxComm Database.
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

7. Forsyth County ARES has changed
Within the State of North Carolina and Forsyth County NC, amateur radio has been tasked with managing supplemental communications operations (ESF-2) from the EOC and/or Incident Command Posts as requested. As such Forsyth County ARES has been re-designated as:
Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

8. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Our Mission
Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES provides communications support under EFS-2 for WSFC Emergency Management and local municipalities within the county as well as surrounding counties where no formal AuxComm or ARES organization is established. Through State-Wide Mutual Aid Agreements, Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES when requested by either the State of NC or WSFC Emergency Management could be deployed to surrounding counties during an emergency or disaster.
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

9. AuxComm – ARES Structure (NC)
NC OEM
State Section Leader
District Emergency Coordinator
County OEM
County Emergency Coordinator
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10. AuxComm – ARES Structure (Forsyth)
Emergency Coordinator (EC)
Safety Officer
Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC)
EOC Comm Team(s)
AEC - Training
AEC – Western Ops
AEC – Eastern OPS
Rapid Response Team(s)
Rapid Response Team(s)
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

11. Communications Teams (Forsyth)
EOC COMM TEAM
EOC Communications Leader
Communicator
Communicator
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
RRT Leader
Radio Operator
Radio Operator
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

12. NC Emergency Communications Plan
“Amateur radio serves as an alternate back-up communications system for both voice and data. They provide backup communications through a cadre of trained, experienced volunteer Operators. NCEM maintains and operates Amateur Radio stations at the State EOC, Eastern and Western Branch Offices.”
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

13. NC Emergency Communications Plan
“A variety of message transport mechanisms such as voice, digital and Continuous Wave (CW), or Morse Code. These may be employed, using singularly or in any combination of:
Short range VHF/UHF radio via direct point-to-point links, strategically located repeaters and linked systems.
Long range HF (shortwave) point-to-point communications, intra-state and interstate, as needed.
Mobile/portable/handheld stations (VHF/UHF/HF).”
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

14. NC Emergency Communications Plan
“(d) Digital MARS Winlink system using HF radio. This system, operated through the DoD's MARS program, provides backup capability through a large network of independent stations located throughout the US, all of which provide connectivity to worldwide facilities and can operate with infrastructure, if available, or completely free of infrastructure on a fully automatic basis. Use of this system does not require the presence of Amateur Radio/MARS operators on-site, since the State has been granted MARS Agency licenses.”
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

15. NC Emergency Communications Plan
“Typical deployments have operators on-site at the served agency location(s) and liaison operators working from their homes or other locations where emergency power is available. Small scale incidents generally are supported by formal "nets" of operators deployed as needed/directed. Larger incidents generally involve a statewide net (Tar Heel Emergency Net).”
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

16. NC Emergency Communications Plan
Identify, train, and assign personnel to maintain contact with and prepare to execute mission in support of ESF-2 during periods of activation.
Establish and maintain an organizational structure and plans coincident with the NCEM organization to facilitate rapid integration.
Establish plans for and conduct training plan to support WinLink Field operations.
Provide radio communication assistance in support of voice and record (written) traffic
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

17. NC Emergency Communications Plan
Provide reports from disaster areas.
At the direction of the State PIO, provide public information releases to media outlets in disaster areas when other means are not available.
Provide radio operators to conduct self-sustaining operations in support of emergency operations for periods up to 72 hours.
Provide WinLink support as needed/requested.
Participate in exercises and drills as directed
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18. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
ARES Changes
Three qualification levels
Level 1: Basic
Level 2: ARES Operations Qualified
Level 3: ARES Management Qualified
Level 1:
Local training only requirements
Level 2 and 3:
FEMA IS and ARRL training requirements
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

19. ARES vs AUXCOMM Training
Trainee Level: Radio Operator:
Local training
Working on completion of ICS courses
12 Months to complete ICS courses
Level 1: Basic Operator
Local Training only
May be working on ICS course
May stay at this level indefinitely
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

20. ARES vs AUXCOMM Training
Basic Level: Communicator
Completion of ICS-100 / 200 / 700 / 800 plus
1 day local EmComm 101 course
Red Cross Shelter Familiarization (On-Line – Preferred)
Level 2: ARES Operator
Completion of ICS-100 / 200 / 700 / 800, and
ARRL EC-001 (9-week, 45 hour on-line course - free)
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

21. ARES vs AUXCOMM Training
EOC OPS Level: Communicator:
Basic Level Qualified
Completion of 1-day EOC-NCS course
Level 3: Management:
Completion of IS120, IS-230, IS-240, IS-241, IS-242, IS-244, and IS-288 and
ARRL EC-016 (9 week, 45 hour online course)
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

22. ARES vs AUXCOMM Training
Lead Level: Communications Team Lead:
EOC Level Qualified
Completion of Web-EOC.
ICS-300 preferred
AuxComm preferred
Level 3 is top level
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

23. ARES vs AUXCOMM Training
Staff Level: EC / AEC:
Lead Level Qualified
ARRL Level 3 preferred (ARRL required for EC)
Level 3 is top level
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24. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Why We Train
To learn
New skills
Procedures
Policies
To practice our skills
Our skill set is perishable
To be Prepared!
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

25. Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES Combined Training Requirements
All Personnel:
ICS 100, 200, 700 & 800
Available:
NOTE: NC State Mandated for those operating in ICS locations such as EOC’s and Command Posts.
NOTE: ARRL Level 2 mandated
Red Cross Shelter Familiarization Training
Red Cross Mandated
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

26. Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES Combined Training Requirements
Communicators
ARRL EC-001 course (ARRL mandated for Level 2) or
Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES: EmComm 101 course
and
Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES: EOC-NCS Course
AuxComm Certification
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

27. Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES Combined Training Requirements
Communications Team Lead
Forsyth County OEM: WebEOC
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

28. Forsyth County AuxComm – ARES Combined Training Requirements
AuxComm – ARES Staff Positions
ARRL 001 (ARRL Mandated for EC)
ARRL 016 (ARRL Mandated for EC)
IS-120, IS-230, IS-240, IS-241, IS-242, IS-244, and IS-288 (ARRL Mandated for EC)
NOTE: ARRL Level 3
NOTE: EC must meet these training requirements to be approved for this position
NOTE: Staff should be at this level for backup to the EC
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

29. Recommended Training – EOC-CL
Forsyth County OEM:
ICS-300: Advanced ICS, 3-day classroom
IS-775: EOC Management and Operations
AuxComm:
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30. Recommended Training - ALL
FC AuxComm – ARES Recommended:
SkyWarn: All AuxComm – ARES Personnel. Required bi-annually. Offered by FARC bi-annually and WSFC OEM annually.
IS-1160 Disaster Assessment Operations: All AuxComm – ARES personnel specifically RRT Leaders.
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

31. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
On-Air Training
Every Thursday 2000 hours on W4NC (+) 100 hz.
Training posted to website:
NCS Training – all personnel are encouraged to conduct at least 1 or more AuxComm – ARES net annually. Preferably 1 every 6 months.
SKILLS ARE PARISHABLE
Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES

32. Communications Exercises (COMEX)
Conducted quarterly
Personnel should make at least ONE per year
Normally operate 1-2 hours with some potential for longer periods
These are in addition to public service events such as Tour to Tanglewood.
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33. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
AuxComm - ARES Badging
Personnel are required to display a valid AuxComm – ARES ID Badge at all times when performing AuxComm – ARES duties in an EOC, Command Post, Red Cross Location.
It is recommended that they be worn in for field operations as well.
Club ID’s are NOT acceptable for access.
Redesigned Identification will be issued soon.
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34. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
AuxComm – ARES ID’s
Identifications are issued based upon qualification level.
ID is valid for 2 years and Only when accompanied by:
Valid FCC Amateur Radio License and
Valid Government Issued Photo ID
Non-Disclosure Agreement for EOC Level and above. (coming)
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35. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Current Staffing
EC: W1HRC Harlan
AEC: WA4NOT Jim
AEC-OPS: W1LLO Stacey
AEC-TECH: WB9SZL Dale
3 Comm Leads
5 EOC Communicators
24 Basic Communicators
35 Radio Operators
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36. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Access Authority
Trainee (Green)
Permitted access to any facility for Training Purposes provided a Communications Lead is available.
Will not normally be assigned as a primary Radio Operator, Communicator during any actual Emergency / Disaster. Will NOT be assigned as a NCS or primary NCS operator for any event.
May be used as a Rest Stop or SAG operator at Public Service Events.
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37. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Access Authority
Basic Level (Blue) – Communicator
Access to any non-ICS facility to perform assigned communications duties such as shelters or public service event communication points.
Access to any facility for Training Purposes provided a Communications Lead is available.
May perform NCS duties at non-ICS locations during Public Service Events.
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38. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Access Authority
EOC Level (Blue) and higher
Access to any facility assigned for communication duties.
May perform NCS duties at any location.
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39. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Background Checks
Red Cross requires background checks for personnel working in any position within a shelter.
Red Cross pays for these.
The AuxComm-ARES Manager is notified of anyone not approved by the ARC but not the reason for denial.
Background is CHRC only
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40. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
Background Checks
State and County request that CHRC checks be done for personnel working in an EOC / CP although they are not yet mandated.
MS society does Drivers Record checks for SAG’s and other mobile operators.
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41. Copyright Forsyth County AuxComm - ARES
How to Apply
FCAA Form 100 – AuxComm-ARES Application
Available on-line at W4NC.com or back of Club Newsletter
Submit to OR
In person to Harlan W1HRC AuxComm-ARES Manager
Members need to update contact license and certification information annually.
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42. Be Trained and Ready to GO!
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43. Questions ????? Maybe Answers…..
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