ARECC

Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Course

"If you want to take a course to learn about computers,crafts,gourmet cooking,baking,gardening,small engine repair,or any other hobby you usually only have to look as far as the nearest school or community college.Such courses are offered in a variety of settings--evening school , day school, or on line. "But where does a ham go to learn more about his or her hobby? Many clubs offer licensing classes,but courses in other areas of ham radio are virtually unheard of.Once in a while seminars or conferences are held for topics of special interest, but structured courses with certification in various topics beyond licensing generally not offered.

These paragraphs begin the explanation of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)'s Certification and Continuing Education program.There, you may read about several programs the league has to offer.

I've recently completed the Amateur Radio Emergency Commication Course. I recommend this course to any ham wishing to be more involved in emergency communications. You may ask, what's in it for me ? what's to learn? why certify? What's the cost? How do I get involved? These and other frequently asked questions are answered in detail on the League's web site. Check out FAQ.

The objective of the cousrse is to provide a baseline level of knowledge and skill in Amateur Radio emergency communications. They say it is the first of the ARRL courses in Amateur Radio communicatoins. Regardless of prior experiences and knowledge, this course is designed to prepare volunteers for participation with thier local emergency comminications organization. All ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Courses are intended for use in conjunction with local protocol and training already available. These courses have been developed using material from all over our great country.This general knowledge is intended to provide tools for you to use.These courses are a method for raising emergency communications awareness regardless of geographic location. The only prerequisite is a desire to raise personal skill level and gain addtional knowledge of Amateur Radio emergency communications.

This is the table contents for the Level One course:

  1. Introduction to Emergency Communications
  2. Amateurs As Professionals-The Served Agency Relationship
  3. Emeregency Communications Organizations & Systems
  4. Served Agency Commication System
  5. Basic Communication Skills
  6. Introduction to Emergency Nets
  7. Basic Message Handling Part I
  8. Basic Message Handling Part II
  9. Net Operating Guidlines
  10. Special Events as Training Opportunities
  11. The Incident Command System
  12. Preparing for Deployment
  13. Equipment Choices for Emergency Communication
  14. Emergency Activation
  15. Setup,Initial Operations,and Shutdown
  16. Operations & Logistics
  17. Personal Safety, Survival, and Health Considerations
  18. Models, Methods, and Applications
  19. Alternate Communication System and Methods
  20. Other Learning Opportunities

Each lesson has defined Student Activities which students are required to share with thier mentor/instructors.These include:

  • Locating emergency communications resourses on the Web.
  • Drafting Radiograms in National Traffic System (NTS) format.
  • Drafting sample communicatios plan outlines
  • Contacting your local emergency communications ARES officials.
  • Evaluating your equipment and capabilities to participate in emergency communications activities.
  • Defining the advantages and disadvantages of other types of non-Amateur communications that may be used in an emergency.

I believe the Level One courses provides, in one place, most of what I've learned about public safety / emergency communications operations in nearly twenty-five years in the hobby.

A class will be forming soon. Details about registration,class dates,times, and other details will be made available to interested parties as they become firm. Contact me if you wish to help plan the class or attend.

73'
Ken Jones
KB3JA@ARRL.net