ARRL Eastern New York Section ARES STANDARDIZED TRAINING PLAN PROGRAM MATERIALS AND EVALUATION STANDARDS

Transcription

1 ARRL Eastern New York Section ARES STANDARDIZED TRAINING PLAN ARES EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR PROGRAM MATERIALS AND EVALUATION STANDARDS Version: Eastern New York Section 1

2 Task Books A Task Book for communications training is a working document that enables those ARES communicators electing to participate in the Eastern New York Section training plan to track and document their training plan elements as they are completed towards increasing levels of proficiency. The Task Book should contain all training plan items, completion dates and signoffs as the ARES communicator transitions through the three skill levels. The ARES communicator is responsible for maintaining their Task Book and having it with them during training and assignments. Recommendations for minimum proficiencies and skills per level are listed. EC's, at their discretion, can add or substitute skills that they consider important with DEC or SEC approval. Prior known experience may be substituted for some listed tasks. It is suggested that items in the proficiency/skills section be used in training sessions or for meeting/event presentations. NOTE: the approving EC must meet/exceed the qualifications for each level they are signing off on. Skill Levels: Communicator (RADO) - Entry level into the ARES organization, assumes certain skills by virtue of obtaining an Amateur Radio license, demonstration of equipment familiarity and FEMA ICS training. Intermediate Communicator - Set of base level of validated skills desired by Eastern New York Section ARES Advanced Communicator - Increased skill set validation along with candidacy to leadership positions. Responsibilities: Individual Reviewing and understanding task book requirements Identifying desired objective/goal Satisfactorily demonstrate completion of tasks for each level Assure the evaluations are completed Maintain and keep the Task book up to date Make Task book available during assignments Responsible for submitting completed Task Book to Section Management 2

3 Evaluator Be knowledgeable and proficient in the tasks being evaluated and approved Meeting with Communicator and evaluating past experiences, current qualifications and desired objectives/goals Reviewing tasks with Communicator Documenting completion of tasks with Task Book sign offs Completing the sign off, comments and qualifying Common Responsibilities (for Activations) It is the responsibility of each ARES communicator to be prepared with the proper dress, equipment, knowledge and demeanor to support the assigned task. If you are unable to perform, or uncomfortable with your assignment let, your Team Leader or requesting agency know so that you may be assigned appropriately. At Staging Complete and turn in input forms and check in at Staging Area Obtain briefing from Agency Lead or Resource Team Leader regarding incident/event Receive Job assignment, reporting location and travel instructions Verify equipment needed for assignment Obtain Frequency Plan (ICS Form 205) Assess personal readiness for incident and climate (physical, clothing, medications, money, equipment guides, etc.) Maintain a check list of your equipment and personal Go-Kit Inform others as to where you are going and how to contact you Review your Operations and Procedures Notebook/Documentation At Assignment Check in with the on-site leader or served agency official Check in with Net Control to inform you are on site Determine location to set up equipment Set up your equipment with safety in mind Establish radio contact with net control per frequency plan Prepare and maintain reports and forms for your task Use clear text and ICS terminology in all radio communications (no codes) Be mindful of HIPPA concerns Carry out assignments as directed At end of shift or demobilization Brief relief communicator on ongoing operations when relieved Retrieve all personal gear and return your area to pre-arrival condition Check out with Net Control or return to staging area 3

4 Report to Staging Area for R&R, reassignment or deactivation Participate in after action activities [Hot Wash] as directed Communicators may want to maintain personal log of actions and events Team Leader Responsibilities Review common responsibilities Participate in incident meetings and briefings as required Determine current status of unit activities Determine resource needs Order additional resources as needed Provide unit with status updates and reports Assign specific duties Maintain personnel accountability status Monitor safety and security of unit Supervise demobilization Collect and maintain all unit records and forms ENY ARES COMMUNICATOR TASK BOOK EVALUATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - GENERAL Request for Waivers In order to provide reasonable accommodation where necessary, applicants who wish to request waiver(s) for one or more of the required activities in an ENY ARES Communicator Task Book shall submit a request in writing (or via ) to the EC, DEC, SEC or SM as appropriate. All requests for waivers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. COMMUNICATOR (RADO) TASK BOOK EVALUATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Education For ICS/NIMS courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s), and/or o FEMA Independent Study transcript For SKYWARN and other courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s) All of these documents shall be included in the Task Book. Completion of these tasks may be verified by any qualified 4

5 Participation Join an ENY ARES group: o Task may be completed by enrolling in an ENY ARES club or group. o Task may also be documented by confirmation of membership from an ENY ARES club or group officer who has access to the official club/group membership list. Proficiency/Skill Obtain Amateur Radio License (Technician class or higher): o The applicant shall include an official copy of his/her FCC license in the task book(s). o Completion of this task may be verified by any qualified ENY Demonstrate ability to program frequency, offset and PL tone into radio: o This task may be completed by configuring a radio in the presence of any qualified ENY o The applicant may use manual entry and/or radio programming software. Other/Unit Other tasks which may be required by a particular ENY ARES Division, county, local government, partner agency or ARES group or club. INTERMEDIATE COMMUNICATOR TASK BOOK EVALUATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Education General Class License (or higher): o The applicant shall include an official copy of his/her FCC license in the task book(s). o Completion of this task may be verified by any qualified ENY Completion of COMMUNICATOR Task Book: o The applicant shall provide an original COMMUNICATOR Task Book which has been reviewed and certified by the SM, the SEC, or a qualified DEC or EC. For ICS/NIMS courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s), and/or o FEMA Independent Study transcript For SKYWARN and other courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s) All of these documents shall be included in the Task Book 5

6 Completion of these tasks may be verified by any qualified ENY Participation Net participation (Once per Quarter): monitored) the net on the claimed participation date(s). o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station or the Net manager for the date(s) in question. Public Service Event Participation (Annually): monitored) the Public Service net(s) claimed. o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station or the Net manager for the Public Service event. o Participation may also be verified by the coordinator of the Public Service Event. Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation: monitored) the SET. o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station for the SET. Serve as Net Control: monitored) the net on the claimed participation date(s). o Participation may also be verified by the Net manager for the date(s) in question. Proficiency/Skill Write and send an ICS-213 message (Manually or Computer): o Applicant may qualify by preparing and sending an ICS-213 message to any qualified ENY o Applicant may also qualify by preparing and sending an ICS-213 message in the presence of any qualified ENY Operate unit specific Digital VHF station with NBEMS: o Applicant may qualify by exchanging Digital NBEMS messages with any qualified ENY ARES officer or Digital NBEMS Net Control station. o Applicant may also qualify by operating a Digital NBEMS station in the presence of any qualified ENY Demonstrate ability to build a simple dipole antenna: o Applicant shall build a simple dipole antenna in the presence of any qualified ENY ARES officer. 6

7 o A qualified ENY ARES officer may (at his or her discretion) provide credit for this task after inspecting a home, mobile, or portable station installation which was constructed by the applicant. Demonstrate ability to build Anderson Powerpole adapter cable: o Applicant shall build an Anderson Powerpole adapter cable in the presence of any qualified ENY o A qualified ENY ARES officer may (at his or her discretion) provide credit for this task after inspecting a home, mobile, or portable station installation which was constructed by the applicant. Demonstrate ability to construct PL259 coax connector: o Applicant shall install a PL259 coax connector in the presence of any qualified ENY o A qualified ENY ARES officer may (at his or her discretion) provide credit for this task after inspecting a home, mobile, or portable station installation which was constructed by the applicant. Assemble a 24-hour Kit*: o Applicant shall assemble a 24-hour kit and present it for inspection by any qualified ENY Other/Unit Other tasks which may be required by a particular ENY ARES Division, county, local government, partner agency or ARES group or club. Education ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR TASK BOOK EVALUATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Completion of INTERMEDIATE COMMUNICATOR Task Book: o The applicant shall provide an original INTERMEDIATE COMMUNICATOR Task Book which has been reviewed and certified by the SM, the SEC, or a qualified DEC or EC. For ICS/NIMS courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s), and/or o FEMA Independent Study transcript For SKYWARN and other courses, acceptable proof includes printed copies of: o Course completion certificate(s) 7

8 All of these documents shall be included in the Task Book. Completion of these tasks may be verified by any qualified ENY Participation Controlled Net Participation (Once per Quarter minimum): monitored) the net on the claimed participation date(s). o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station or the Net manager for the date(s) in question. Public Service Event Participation (Annually): monitored) the Public Service net(s) claimed. o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station or the Net manager for the Public Service event. o Participation may also be verified by the coordinator of the Public Service Event. Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation (Annual): monitored) the SET. o Participation may also be verified by the Net Control station for SET. Serve as Net Control (Once per Quarter minimum): monitored) the net on the claimed participation date(s). o Participation may also be verified by the Net manager for the date(s) in question. Leadership Present a training session: o This may be verified by any qualified ENY ARES officer who attended the training session. Hold/held a leadership position in a group: o This may be verified by presenting a roster from an ENY ARES Club or Group which lists the applicant in a leadership position. o This status may also be verified by the applicant s supervisor in the ARES chain of command. 8

9 Hold a General Class License or higher: o The applicant shall include an official copy of his/her FCC license in the task book(s). o Completion of this task may be verified by any qualified ENY Participate in PIO activities (PR-101 Qualifies): o This task may be verified by presenting a certificate for the ARRL PR-101/EC-015 course. o This task may also be verified by any qualified ENY ARES Officer who has actual knowledge of PIO s tasks or activities which were performed by the applicant. Proficiency/Skill Proficient in using ICS forms (IS-201 completion qualifies): o Applicant shall prepare appropriate ICS form(s) for an actual or simulated event or exercise and present original (or copy) to any qualified ENY/ARES officer for review. Demonstrate cross band repeat on Mobile Radio (UHF/VHF): o Applicant shall configure cross band repeat in the presence of any qualified ENY ARES officer. Operate VHF Winlink station in Peer-to-peer mode*: o Applicant shall operate a VHF Winlink station in the presence of any qualified ENY ARES officer. o Applicant may also qualify by exchanging VHF Winlink messages with any qualified ENY Operate HF Winlink station *: o Applicant shall operate an HF Winlink station in the presence of any qualified ENY ARES officer. o Applicant may also qualify by exchanging HF Winlink messages with any qualified ENY Demonstrate ability to setup an Fldigi VHF/UHF and/or HF operation. o Applicant shall operate an Fldigi VHF/UHF and/or HF station in the presence of any qualified ENY o Applicant may also qualify by exchanging Fldigi messages via VHF/UHF and/or HF messages with any qualified ENY Assemble a 72/120 hour Kit: o Applicant shall assemble a 72/120 hour kit and present it for inspection by any qualified ENY Other/Unit Other tasks which may be required by a particular ENY ARES county, local government, partner agency or ARES group or club. 9

10 Acknowledgements The ARRL Eastern New York Section ARES Standardized Training Plan represents the efforts of many people and organizations. The idea was brought forward by ENY Section Manager John Fritze K2QY from discussions at his orientation for new Section Managers at ARRL HQ. Much of the format and content was derived from similar programs across the country. The basis came from an initiative of the ARRL West Gulf Division, specifically in our case the South Texas Section along with an adaptation of the material by the ARRL Iowa Section. The final product was discussed and advised by a working group of Section staff and Emergency Coordinators in a weeks long series of s, discussions and drafts. This dialog resulted in the three-tiered approach now presented. Many thanks to SM John Fritze K2QY, ASEC Ken Goetz N2SQW, Columbia County EC Barry Thompson WA2KLP, Northern DEC and Saratoga EC Fred Halley W2EMS, Northern ADEC Gerald Murray WA2IWW, Orange County EC Steve Fleckenstein N2UBP, Rensselaer County EC Tom Stewart KC2FCR and Schenectady County EC James MacMurray N2UZQ for their assistance in the project. This remains somewhat a work in progress as the advent of national training standards is on the horizon. The ENY program has attempted to keep pace with these developments and has tried to align itself with details of new national standards as released. It is hoped this program will raise the level of professionalism of amateur radio operators to meet the challenges of emergency communications into an uncertain future. David Galletly KM2O, ENY Section Emergency Coordinator April