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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. Presented By Maine ARES