ARES Task Book

ARES TRAINING LEVEL Basic

Introduction
This is the primary level for those who choose a non-leadership role as well as those new to Amateur Radio or emergency communications. This introductory training is conducted by the local ARES group to meet its needs and those of its served agency or partners. This training could be formal or informal and would introduce the ARES participant to the fundamentals of emergency communications and provide instructions on how participants are to conduct themselves while serving in the field or otherwise activated. This level sets initial baseline requirements and will likely be insufficient for deployment at an incident Participants are encouraged to complete Level 1 and advance to level 2 as soon as practical.

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.

Required:
Obtain Technician class or higher Amateur Radio License – Yes, you must have an Amateur Radio license. If you don’t have one, look under Licensing for details on getting one.
Obtain the ARES Task Book – You can obtain the ARES Task Book as a Word file or a Fillable PDF. You are encouraged to print the task Book and put it in a three-ring binder. As you complete each requirement, note the date, get the sign off and save any documentation in the binder, preferably just after the pages for the level.
Join an ARES Group – ARES groups are organized usually along county lines. You can contact your county Emergency Management organization, and they should be able to give you the contact information for your local Emergency Coordinator (EC). If you cannot get this information, then contact your Section Manager (SM) – whose contact information is located on page 16 of each issue of QST magazine or can be found at http://www.arrl.org/sections-by-divisions.
If you are in Eastern Washington, particularly Spokane County, you can download the application form here, send it to me, and I will forward it to the appropriate EC. Or you can bring it to any meeting and give it to the EC.

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. See FEMA Course Study Helps for suggestions to successfully complete these courses.
IS‐100 Intro to Incident Command System - 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‐700 Introduction to National Incident Management System - 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.

ARRL Course:
Basic EmComm - 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.

Please note that the EC, at their discretion, may add additional requirements.

Encouraged: These courses are required for Level Intermediate
IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response - 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-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction - 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

Optional:
SKYWARN - Spotter Basic Training (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.

ARES TRAINING LEVEL Intermediate

Introduction
This training level builds upon what has been learned in Level 1, and participants in Level 2 may elect to remain at this level based upon the extent of their desired ARES involvement. Much of this training is conducted by the local ARES group to meet its needs and those of their served agency or partners and provides a better understanding of emergency communications. Participants in Level 2 may wish to continue with Level 3 and the potential for leadership roles.

Required:
Completion of all required Level Basic requirements.

FEMA Courses:
IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response - 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-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction - 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:
Intermediate EmComm - Designed to provide more in-depth knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. The course contains six modules and thirty topics including required prerequisites and is expected to take several hours to complete. The material in this course is expected to expand your knowledge and you are expected to spend the time studying the material before taking the final assessment which consists of 35 questions randomly chosen from a large question pool. The tests will NOT be identical from test to test, and you are allowed to retake the test once in a 6-month period. The passing grade for this course is 74% or better to receive certification.

Other Activities:
Net Participation (Once per Quarter) – Generally this will be participation in your local ARES Net.
Program tone into HT – Your EC will determine the specific requirement, but generally this means manually programming a tone into an HT using the keypad.
Program frequency & offset into radio - Your EC will determine the specific requirement, but generally this means manually programming the frequency and offset for a repeater into an HT using the keypad.
Write and send an ICS‐213 message – Your EC will determine the specific requirement, but generally this means using the FEMA General Message Form (ICS-213).

Encouraged:
IS-802 – Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 – Communications - Introduces Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 – Communications. Which coordinates government and industry efforts for the reestablishment and provision of critical communications infrastructure and services, facilitates the stabilization of systems and applications from malicious activity, and coordinates communications support to response efforts.
SKYWARN - Spotter Basic Training (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. Note that this is moved from Optional to Encouraged.
Public Service Event Participation – Provide radio support for a community event or provide a service to the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for Emergency Management.
Build a simple dipole antenna – They do mean simple – two ¼ wavelength wires attached to a connector.
Build Powerpole type adapter cable – Build a power supply cable using Powerpole connectors.
Solder PL259 connector to coax – Attach a PL259 connector to Coax using a solder connection.
Assemble a 24-hour Deployment Kit – Your local ARES Group will likely have a suggest list for your deployment kit or you can Google and find h9undreds of suggestions. Customized for your needs.

Optional: Ask your EC for specific details for the following activities.
Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation (Annually) – The SET usually occurs in early October.
Serve as Net Control – Act as Net Control for a net.
Operate VHF Digital messaging station – Generally this means sending and receiving Winlink messages.
Operate unit specific Digital VHF or HF station – Ask your EC for specific details.

ARES TRAINING LEVEL Advanced

Introduction
Prepares the participant to take on ARES Team leadership roles in his/her ARES group or section.

Required:
Completion of all required Level Basic and Intermediate requirements.

FEMA Courses:
IS-120 - An Introduction to Exercises - introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
IS-230 - Fundamentals of Emergency Management - Provides all FEMA employees with basic information to prepare them for incident management and support activities. Additionally, this course will provide an overview of FEMA; introduce basic emergency management concepts; and provide a high-level look at how FEMA meets its mission
IS-235 - Emergency Planning - Designed for emergency management personnel who are involved in developing an effective emergency planning system. This course offers training in the fundamentals of the emergency planning process, including the rationale behind planning. It will develop your capability for effective participation in the all-hazard emergency operations planning process to save lives and protect property threatened by disaster.
IS‐240 ‐ Leadership & Influence - Addresses: Leadership from within; How to facilitate change; How to build and rebuild trust; Using personal influence and political savvy; and Fostering an environment for leadership development.
IS-241 - Decision Making & Problem Solving – Designed to enable participants to improve their decision-making skills.
IS-242 - Effective Communications - Designed to improve your communication skills. It addresses: Basic communication skills; How to communicate in an emergency: How to identify community-specific communication issues; Using technology as a communication tool; Effective oral communication; How to prepare an oral presentation
IS-244 - Developing & Managing Volunteers – Designed to strengthen abilities to prepare for and manage volunteers before, during, and after a severe emergency or major disaster. This course will:
· Provide strategies for identifying, recruiting, assigning, training, supervising, and motivating volunteers.
· Include discussion of spontaneous volunteers as well as those affiliated with community-based, faith-based, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
IS-288 – Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management - Provides a basic understanding of the history, roles and services of disaster relief voluntary agencies in providing disaster assistance. It is appropriate for both the public and those involved in emergency management operations.
IS-2200 - Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions - Designed to introduce the role, design, and function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the supportive relationship as a NIMS Command and Coordination component of the Multiagency Coordination System.
IS-802 – Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 – Communications - Introduces Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 – Communications. Which coordinates government and industry efforts for the reestablishment and provision of critical communications infrastructure and services, facilitates the stabilization of systems and applications from malicious activity, and coordinates communications support to response efforts.

ARRL Course:
Advanced EmComm Course – This course is not yet available.

Other Activities:
Net Participation (Once per Quarter) – Generally this will be participation in your local ARES Net.
Public Service Event Participation – Provide radio support for a community event or provide a service to the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for Emergency Management.
Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation (Annually) – The SET usually occurs in early October.
Serve as Net Control – Act as Net Control for a net.
Present a training session - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Hold/held a leadership position in a group - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Participate in PIO activities (PR‐101 Qualifies) - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Proficient in using ICS forms - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Operate VHF Digital messaging station in Peer‐to‐peer mode - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Operate HF Digital Mode Messaging Station - Your EC will determine the specific requirement
Program tone into HT – Your EC will determine the specific requirement, but generally this means manually programming a tone into an HT using the keypad.
Program frequency & offset into radio - Your EC will determine the specific requirement, but generally this means manually programming the frequency and offset for a repeater into an HT using the keypad.

Encouraged:
AUXCOM Course – Auxiliary Communications, generally arranged by your AHJ
ICS-300 - Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents - Generally arranged by your AHJ
ICS-400 - Advanced Incident Command System - Generally arranged by your AHJ

Optional:
SKYWARN - Spotter Advanced Training (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.
PR‐101 – Public Information Officer Training - This is a basic training course for PIOs and anyone interacting with the media and promoting Amateur Radio. This course is designed to give members a quick overview in public relations activities. It uses the skills of experts in various aspects of public relations to provide volunteer Public Information Officers with the basic skills and expectations that a PIO needs to know to be effective in their home region. PR-101 covers everything from the basic news release to Web sites and video work.
COML (Communication Unit Leader) - Generally arranged by your AHJ
COMT (Communications Unit Technician) - Generally arranged by your AHJ
Hold a General Class License or higher
ARRL Course Instructor/Mentor
Demonstrate cross band repeat on Mobile Radio (UHFVHF)