What This Training Is Designed To Do

Amateur radio operators can play an important role when normal communications systems are overloaded, disrupted, or unavailable. To serve effectively, volunteers need more than a radio license—they also need a working understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), message handling, directed nets, and the professional expectations of working alongside public safety and emergency management partners.

The pathway below reflects the most common baseline training used for ARES participation and EOC readiness: FEMA independent-study coursework, ARRL emergency communications training, practical operating experience, and local coordination with served agencies.

Step 1: Complete FEMA ICS / NIMS Online Courses

These FEMA independent-study courses are the core foundation most emergency communications volunteers are expected to complete. They are free, self-paced, and include an online final exam.

1. IS-100.c – Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100)
   Introduces the Incident Command System and the terminology, structure, and concepts used during incidents.
2. IS-200.c – Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response (ICS 200)
   Builds on ICS-100 and helps volunteers understand how ICS operates during initial response and supervisory situations.
3. IS-700.b – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
   Explains the broader framework used by government and partner agencies to organize emergency response.
4. IS-800.d – National Response Framework (NRF), An Introduction
   Provides an overview of how the nation responds to larger incidents and how agencies coordinate across levels of government.

Step 2: Complete ARRL Emergency Communications Training

After the FEMA foundation courses, members should complete ARRL emergency communications training. ARRL states that ICS-100 and IS-700 are prerequisites for EC-001 / Intro to EmComm.

Recommended ARRL course:
EC-001 / Intro to EmComm – an introductory emergency communications course covering how amateur radio volunteers support public service and emergency operations, including message handling, net procedures, and served-agency expectations.

Step 3: Work Through the ARES Task Book

ARRL publishes an ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book to help operators document practical knowledge, operating skills, and increasing levels of proficiency. This moves training beyond classroom work and into real-world readiness.

The task book helps document capabilities such as:

• Professional conduct while serving in an emergency communications role
• Directed net participation
• Accurate message handling
• Portable station setup
• Use of standard forms and basic documentation
• Understanding served-agency relationships
• Operational readiness for drills and activations
• Experience gained through practice and sign-off

Step 4: Build Practical Operating Skills

Courses are only part of becoming emergency-communications ready. Members should also develop on-air and field skills through regular club participation and practice.

• Participate in club and ARES nets regularly.
• Practice passing written traffic clearly and accurately.
• Learn directed net procedures and net discipline.
• Become comfortable with tactical call signs and formal message formats.
• Train with portable power, go-kits, antennas, and field deployment basics.
• Participate in drills, exercises, and public service events.
• Explore digital emergency communications tools such as Winlink.

EOC Readiness: What Members Should Expect

Members who want to assist in a local Emergency Operations Center should understand that EOC service is normally by request and under established emergency management procedures. Completion of courses does not automatically grant EOC access. Local emergency management agencies may require additional orientation, credentialing, exercise participation, or agency-specific procedures before assigning a volunteer to an EOC.

For that reason, Bluffton Radio Club encourages members to:

• Complete the FEMA and ARRL training listed above.
• Maintain copies of all certificates and task-book progress.
• Participate in drills and club emergency communications activities.
• Coordinate with local ARES leadership and served agencies before expecting deployment.

Suggested Training Path for Bluffton Radio Club Members

1. Get Licensed: earn an FCC amateur radio license and become active on local repeaters and nets.
2. Complete FEMA Courses: finish IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
3. Take ARRL EmComm Training: complete EC-001 / Intro to EmComm.
4. Document Readiness: begin and maintain the ARES Task Book.
5. Practice Regularly: join nets, pass traffic, and participate in drills and exercises.
6. Coordinate Locally: work with ARES and local emergency management partners for any additional local requirements.

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