Organization of Organization of Amateur Radio in Amateur Radio in

ICSICSAmateur Radio Amateur Radio

Communications TeamsCommunications Teams

By: Brian Cook KI4HLW

www.emcommforum.org

Incident Command Incident Command SystemSystem

A standardized on-scene emergency A standardized on-scene emergency management concept specifically management concept specifically designed to allow its users to adopt designed to allow its users to adopt an integrated organizational an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.jurisdictional boundaries.

Incident Command Incident Command SystemSystem

Provides essential management using these Provides essential management using these aspects: aspects:

common terminologycommon terminology modular organizationmodular organization integrated communicationsintegrated communications a unified command structurea unified command structure consolidated action plansconsolidated action plans manageable span-of-controlmanageable span-of-control predesigned incident facilitiespredesigned incident facilities comprehensive resource managementcomprehensive resource management

Incident Command Incident Command SystemSystem

It does all of this by organizing any It does all of this by organizing any emergency response effort into four emergency response effort into four basic functions:basic functions:     1. planning/intelligence     1. planning/intelligence     2. operations     2. operations     3. logistics     3. logistics     4. finance/administration      4. finance/administration

EMCOMMEMCOMM

Short for Short for EMEMergency ergency COMMCOMMunicationunication

Typically used to refer to Amateur Typically used to refer to Amateur Radio groups such as ARES® but Radio groups such as ARES® but actually includes any and all actually includes any and all Emergency Communications including:Emergency Communications including: Computer NetworksComputer Networks Satellite Communications (Voice and Data)Satellite Communications (Voice and Data) Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB)Other Radio Services (GMRS, FRS, CB)

Communications fall under Communications fall under LogisticsLogistics

Under ICS, Logistics is responsible Under ICS, Logistics is responsible for filling emergency requests for for filling emergency requests for Communications services and Communications services and equipment. This includes mutual aid equipment. This includes mutual aid requests for ACS volunteers. requests for ACS volunteers.

ICS uses ResourcesICS uses Resources

Resources are a group of a Resources are a group of a predetermined size with a predetermined size with a predetermined equipment capability.predetermined equipment capability.

With ICS, logistics managers use a With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized, four character, mnemonic standardized, four character, mnemonic nomenclature system to order all nomenclature system to order all resources. It may be a fire suppression resources. It may be a fire suppression strike team, a task force, a medical unit, strike team, a task force, a medical unit, or a or a communications unitcommunications unit..

How Amateur Radio FitsHow Amateur Radio Fits

ARCT Resource Typing was developed in ARCT Resource Typing was developed in 2003.2003.

Introduced in QST in December 2003.Introduced in QST in December 2003. Now in ARECC Level 3.Now in ARECC Level 3. Active TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the Active TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the

WRRL.WRRL. And a growing number of ARES® and other And a growing number of ARES® and other

EMCOMM units.EMCOMM units. Has been cleared by NIMS Resource CenterHas been cleared by NIMS Resource Center

The ARCTThe ARCT The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur

Radio Resources. It stands for “Amateur Radio Radio Resources. It stands for “Amateur Radio Communications Team” though some states use Communications Team” though some states use the term “Auxiliary” in place of “Amateur”.the term “Auxiliary” in place of “Amateur”.

ARCTs may be pre-existing units, but more than ARCTs may be pre-existing units, but more than likely they will be assembled from existing likely they will be assembled from existing registered EMCOMM operators at the time of registered EMCOMM operators at the time of the incident.the incident.

[Remember that reference to “Standardized [Remember that reference to “Standardized Training”?] Training”?]

ARCT TypesARCT Types

ICS resources use Types to refer to ICS resources use Types to refer to the specific size and capability of a the specific size and capability of a resource.resource.

The lower the number the larger the The lower the number the larger the resource.resource.

There are 4 proposed types of ARCT There are 4 proposed types of ARCT resources.resources.

ARCT Type 4ARCT Type 4

Mobile/Portable Field Additional Mobile/Portable Field Additional Support UnitSupport Unit

1 Individual licensed ARO with vehicle.1 Individual licensed ARO with vehicle. Technician class or higher.Technician class or higher. VHF FM (minimum) equipped.VHF FM (minimum) equipped. May be assigned to a specific agency May be assigned to a specific agency

or to supplement/relieve an existing or to supplement/relieve an existing ARCT.ARCT.

Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly. Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly.

ARCT Type 3ARCT Type 3

Mobile/Portable Field Units Mobile/Portable Field Units 2 licensed and registered AROs with 2 licensed and registered AROs with

one or two vehicles. one or two vehicles. Technician class or higher (At least 1 Technician class or higher (At least 1

General or higher if available.) General or higher if available.) VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF

mobile/portable desired.mobile/portable desired. May be assigned to a specific agency May be assigned to a specific agency

or to supplement/relieve an existing or to supplement/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT.multi-agency ARCT.

ARCT Type 2ARCT Type 2

Field/Base Station Field/Base Station Short range (VHF/UHF) and long Short range (VHF/UHF) and long

range (HF) voice and digital range (HF) voice and digital communications. communications.

Is not dependent upon any outside Is not dependent upon any outside power source or infrastructure. power source or infrastructure.

4 licensed AROs (2 at least General 4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with one or two vehicles.class) with one or two vehicles.

May be assigned to a specific agency, May be assigned to a specific agency, or at a staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for or at a staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agency service. multiple agency service.

ARCT Type 1ARCT Type 1

Full Field Station and 4 Mobile/Portable Full Field Station and 4 Mobile/Portable UnitsUnits

Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliary Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliary communications team for single or multiple communications team for single or multiple agency communications. agency communications.

Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice and digital communications. Is not dependent and digital communications. Is not dependent upon any outside power source or upon any outside power source or infrastructure.infrastructure.

12 (or more) persons including one supervisor 12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and one assistant supervisor. Consists of one and one assistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT Type 2 unit, and four Type 4 units.ARCT Type 2 unit, and four Type 4 units.

ARCT AdvantagesARCT Advantages

Clearly defined capabilities permit Clearly defined capabilities permit Incident Commanders to quickly and Incident Commanders to quickly and easily call up the exact capabilities easily call up the exact capabilities they need.they need.

Standardized system allows better Standardized system allows better organization in mutual assistance or organization in mutual assistance or multi jurisdictional situations.multi jurisdictional situations.

EMCOMM Leadership EMCOMM Leadership under ICSunder ICS

There is a current trend to define There is a current trend to define EMCOMM group leadership as to follow EMCOMM group leadership as to follow the ICS system.the ICS system.

All positions/responsibilities are pretty All positions/responsibilities are pretty much the same as in current systems, much the same as in current systems, many titles are the same also.many titles are the same also.

One person can hold more then one One person can hold more then one position as needed by group size.position as needed by group size.

Makes sure the responsible person for Makes sure the responsible person for every aspect of the group is clearly every aspect of the group is clearly defined.defined.

ICS Organization LevelICS Organization Level

In ICS the Amateur Radio group In ICS the Amateur Radio group would most likely be at the Unit would most likely be at the Unit level.level.

ICS Leadership TitlesICS Leadership TitlesAt the Unit level the EC would be a Leader.At the Unit level the EC would be a Leader.

The individual in charge of a single Resource is called a Boss.

ICS modeled Leadership ICS modeled Leadership TitlesTitles

Emergency CoordinatorEmergency Coordinator Assistant Emergency CoordinatorAssistant Emergency Coordinator Planning and Training CoordinatorPlanning and Training Coordinator Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.)Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.) Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment

(e.g.- generators, batteries, transportation, (e.g.- generators, batteries, transportation, etc.)etc.)

Records and Reports CoordinatorRecords and Reports Coordinator

Same responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS Same responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS organizationorganization

So, what does it all mean So, what does it all mean for us?for us?

By using “resource typing”, we are able By using “resource typing”, we are able provide EMA personnel with a means of provide EMA personnel with a means of describing our capabilities within their describing our capabilities within their frame of reference.frame of reference.

In short, if you going to work with these In short, if you going to work with these agencies, you have to speak their agencies, you have to speak their language.language.

Makes it easier/simpler for them to Makes it easier/simpler for them to request our assistance to meet their request our assistance to meet their needs/requirements.needs/requirements.

Where Do We Begin?Where Do We Begin?

Nearly all Iowa ARES groups can field Nearly all Iowa ARES groups can field one (or more) Type IV ARCT teams.one (or more) Type IV ARCT teams.

It is a small step up to be able to It is a small step up to be able to deploy a Type III ARCT Team.deploy a Type III ARCT Team.

Many Iowa ARES groups can deploy Many Iowa ARES groups can deploy Type II ARCT Teams.Type II ARCT Teams.

Regionally (at the District Level?) it’s Regionally (at the District Level?) it’s entirely possible to have a Type I ARCT entirely possible to have a Type I ARCT Team.Team.

First Steps:First Steps:

Start by developing several Type IV Teams.Start by developing several Type IV Teams. Gain proficiency by actually fielding these Gain proficiency by actually fielding these

teams to gain experience in operations. teams to gain experience in operations. Note: doing it Note: doing it onceonce is not enough— is not enough—practice makes perfect.practice makes perfect.

When your people are comfortable When your people are comfortable operating as one or more Type IV Teams, operating as one or more Type IV Teams, move to the next step and work to move to the next step and work to assemble Type III Teams. Again, practice, assemble Type III Teams. Again, practice, practice, practice.practice, practice.

The Next Steps:The Next Steps:

When your folks are proficient at functioning When your folks are proficient at functioning as a Type III Team, work to develop a Type II as a Type III Team, work to develop a Type II Team. Not something that’ll happen quickly.Team. Not something that’ll happen quickly.

Naturally training/certification goes hand-in-Naturally training/certification goes hand-in-hand along with this. hand along with this.

Likewise so does documentation of that Likewise so does documentation of that training. Team leader should be responsible training. Team leader should be responsible for maintaining that documentation—and for maintaining that documentation—and have it available when requested by EMA have it available when requested by EMA folks.folks.

For more info visit the WRRL For more info visit the WRRL websitewebsite

http://wrrl.org/arct_progrhttp://wrrl.org/arct_program/am/