ARRL Certification Program
Emergency Communications
Deliverables

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How does the ARRL certification study guides for emergency communicators relate to the training programs used by ARES, RACES, SKYWARN, American Red Cross, SATERN, etc. and their served emergency management agencies?

The material in the certification program is intended to complement and supplement the training programs used by the above agencies and emergency communications organizations.  It provides a common base of understanding and an approach to integrating the many aspects of amateur radio into a cohesive response to emergency communications needs.

The focus and emphasis is on the communications aspects, both radio and non-radio, involved in responding to emergency situations.  Non-communications items that may be of consideration by the served agencies are noted within the study guides.  A general overview and background information is provided, and detailed discussions on operations and policies are deferred to the served agency(ies).  Agencies are free to define their own operating practices above and beyond the common base provided by the certification and localize the practices to suit their needs.

What are the levels of proficiency found on an amateur radio emergency communications team to be used to develop the study guide?
Generally, the proficiencies of amateur radio emergency communicators can be distinguished into three broad categories.  Below is a table summarizing and describing the proficiencies.
High Level View of Proficiencies - DRAFT
Level
Demonstrated Abilities
Typical Roles
III
(Advanced)
  • Advanced knowledge of emergency management, disaster relief and recovery.
  • Demonstrates knowledge about local emergency management plans and considerations.
  • Able to work with representatives from served agencies to develop arrangements and plans for mutual operations.
  • Able to build viable teams and team leaders.
  • Able to define, organize and train teams into an effective operating unit.
    		•  Incorporates emergency communications teams into the operating plans of served agencies;  Advances the effectiveness between communications teams and with the served agencies; Coach and Mentor; Interface and interact with the served agencies; Organizer and promoter of emergency communicators
    (Actual
    Experience component of Level III)
    • Active as a leader in an emergency communications organization.
    II
    (Intermediate)
    • Demonstrates general knowledge about emergency management, disaster relief and recovery.
    • Demonstrates advanced knowledge on radio equipment, propagation, and techniques for emergency communication.
    • Demonstrates knowledge on handling nets and net control stations.
    		 Develops communicators and communications teams; Team Leader; Promotes emergency preparedness; Net Control Station experience; Skilled technician; Skilled Operator; Coach and mentors others in learning these skills and becoming proficient.
    (Actual
    Experience component of Level II)
    • Served as NCS for five practice sessions.
    • Demonstrated proficiency in creating, handling and delivering ARRL Radiogram messages.
    • Organized and/or led an amateur radio emergency communications team for a minimum of <xxx> months.
    • Activated an emergency communications group in response to a request from a served agency.
    Grades 1, 2 and 3
    (Prerequisite for Level I - Basic)
    • Able to establish an emergency communications station.
    • Able to effectively communicate via voice.
    • Able to effectively communicate over CW, packet and other modes as permitted by license class.
    • Demonstrates introductory knowledge about emergency management, disaster relief.
    • Able to accept, handle, route and deliver messages of various types (formal ARRL radiogram, informal messages, tactical messages).
    • Able to contribute to the effort without becoming a nuisance or hazard to the team or the emergency operations.
    		 Provides communications during times of emergencies or disasters by providing a radio station, establishing it at a site in short order, and begins passing messages.  Works with other team members, both communicators and non-communicators to provide maximum response and results to the emergency.
    I
    (Basic, including Actual Experience)
    • Same as Grades 1, 2 and 3 above, with a letter of participation from a served agency.
    		 Radio Operator, certified in Grades 1, 2 and 3, active in a served agency. 
    Certification of Technical Ability
    Digital
    • Able to configure a network of PCs, TNCs,  radios and printers with communications software and hardware capable of handling emergency communications packet (and similar digital mode) traffic on a timely basis.
    • Able to instruct and educate emergency communicators to operate, troubleshoot and reconfigure emergency communications stations using digital modes.
    		 Provides organization, education, demonstrations, coaching and technical support for digital mode emergency communicators.
    NVIS
    • Able to implement and operate a Near-Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) station on a timely basis.
    • Able to instruct and educate emergency communicators to operate, troubleshoot and reconfigure NVIS emergency communications stations.
    		 Provides organization, education, demonstrations, coaching and technical support for NVIS emergency communicators.
    Video
    • Able to configure a video network for passing images in support of the emergency on a real-time basis.
    • Able to instruct and educate emergency communicators to operate, troubleshoot and reconfigure emergency communications stations using video modes.
    		 Provides organization, education, demonstrations, coaching and technical support for video emergency communicators.
    VHF/UHF
    • Able to configure VHF and UHF emergency communications stations and networks for rapid deployment and activation (within two minutes of arriving on scene).
    • Able to instruct and educate emergency communicators to operate, troubleshoot and reconfigure emergency communications stations using VHF/UHF.
    		 Provides organization, education, demonstrations, coaching and technical support for VHF/UHF emergency communicators.

    What is out of scope for the definition of the Levels above?

    What is in the study guide material for Level 1 students?
    • What is the study guide material for Level 2 students? What is in the study guide material for Level 3 students? What is the criteria for completion of the study guide deliverables?
    The document will be in ??? format.
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