ACS LEVEL New Member

Introduction
Anyone joining Spokane ACS, by applying to DEM and passing a background check, shall be considered a New Member for a period normally not to exceed one year. During that time, they are expected to complete the training and development criteria specified below for New Members. If the required training is not offered during the first year of membership, the requirement is automatically extended until the next time it is offered.
Additional extensions may be requested from ACS Leadership and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The goal is to develop and advance new members to the Radio Operator (RADO) level where you can effectively and efficiently provide communications for emergency and disaster response.

Download the ACS Task Book here.

Requirements are organized into three categories:
R = Required – These activities MUST be completed satisfactorily.
O = Optional – These activities will be necessary for higher level participation but are not required at this level.
E = Encouraged _ These activities would be very beneficial but not necessary.

Understand the organization, mission, and objective of Spokane ACS - (R-Once) This requirement can be completed by attending the New Member Orientation class, usually held on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

FEMA Courses: All FEMA IS Courses are current version. These IS courses are free online courses and will require you to obtain a FEMA student ID.
How to obtain a FEMA Student ID (SID): Fill out the application at https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid
It’s a standard application form which requires:
• When and where were you born
• Security Questions
• Create your password
• Privacy Statement
• Save your SID!!! The SID is required for taking the exams at the end of each FEMA course.
The entire catalog of the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) course list is found at https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx.
Check out our webpage FEMA Course Study Helps for suggestions to successfully complete these courses.
IS‐100 Intro to Incident Command System - (R-Once) Introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response - (R-Once) Reviews the Incident Command System (ICS), provides the context for ICS within initial response, and supports higher level ICS training. This course provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS.
IS‐700 Introduction to National Incident Management System - (R-Once) Provides an overview of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community - all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector - to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.
IS-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction - (R-Once) Provides guidance for the whole community. Within this broad audience, the National Response Framework focuses especially on those who are involved in delivering and applying the response core capabilities
ARRL Course Basic EmComm - (R-Once) Designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. The Basic Emcomm course contains three modules and 11 topics, including required prerequisites, and is expected to take approximately 10 – 20 hours to complete. You will have access to the course platform in the ARRL Learning Center at any time of day while you work to complete the course so that you may work according to your own schedule. You will want to pace yourself to be sure you complete all the required material in the allotted time. When you have completed the course work, take the final assessment for this Basic Emcomm course to receive a certificate.
Check into ACS/ARES Radio Nets (other organized nets may qualify for part of this requirement) - (R-Monthly, E-Weekly) Check into and monitor ACS radio nets at least once per month but preferably weekly.
Attend ACS Meeting/Trainings - (R-Quarterly, E-Monthly) Includes 3rd Thursdays Training Meetings and 2nd Saturdays Workshops.
Maintain personal preparedness kit - (R- Yearly) Prepare and maintain a Personal Preparedness Kit. Personal items you would need to sustain yourself during a deployment, including food, water, hygiene, clothing, medication, etc. The expectation is you will be able to operate in some type of shelter, so you do not need to have personal shelter (but may). You are otherwise expected to be fully self-sufficient for the duration of an activation/deployment. As a minimum, you are expected to have a 24-hour kit but having a 72-hour kit is preferred.
Maintain a radio deployment kit - (R- Yearly) Prepare and maintain a Radio Deployment Kit. Everything needed to do your duties as an amateur radio operator when deployed. Radio(s), spare batteries, antenna, coax, connectors, small tools, etc. This will vary individually based on your license class, type(s) of radio(s) you have. It should support 24 to 72 hours of operation. Some measure of portable power should be included.
Program repeater and simplex channels into personal HT - (R- Yearly) Frequency, Offset, Access Tone as necessary.
Register with Alert Spokane, and maintain current information - (R-Once) Review website information when changes occur. Alert Spokane is based on the smartphone app Code Red. Load Code Red on your smartphone and configure it for your area in Spokane County.
Become HIPAA qualified - (R-Once) This topic is covered in the New Member Orientation class or you can view a 12-minute video here.
Maintain a Message log (ICS-309) - (R-Ongoing) Demonstrate ability to maintain a message log. Maintain logs during all ACS radio operations.
Participate in field operations - (R-Yearly) Participate in an actual field operation (activation, exercise, public service event) at least once per year.
SKYWARN - Spotter Basic Training – (E-Biennially) Each office of the National Weather Service (NWS) will hold training twice a year for weather spotters. In Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, information about this training can be found at Current Spotter Training. After the training, register to be a weather spotter by completing this online Spotter Sign-Up form or email nws.spokane@noaa.gov.

ACS Task Book

Personal exemptions for some of the listed requirements may be granted by ACS leaders on a case-by-case basis.
Members are encouraged to compile all supporting documentation of requirements completion with the appropriate page forming a comprehensive package for review.