Training

Training is critical to the mission of Delaware County ARES-RACES. Like other emergency personnel and first responders, experience gained through training and drilling results in positive outcomes for communications volunteers. ARES-RACES units are dedicated to training and devote much effort to learning necessary skills and protocols. As new technologies, techniques and protocols in communication emerge, ARES-RACES personnel must stay one step ahead to provide the high level of professionalism expected by the agencies we serve.

Training resources available on this page will be added and updated as necessary. It is likely the section will be continuously under construction.

Basic Training Requirements for ARES-RACES Personnel

All Delaware County ARES-RACES personnel are required to successfully complete a minimum of (5) training courses administered by both the ARRL and FEMA. Additionally, personnel are required to participate in nets, drills, exercises and other training programs deemed necessary by the Emergency Coordinator and Training Officer. The (5) ARRL and FEMA training courses are available online and can be completed at the student's convenience. The ARRL course has a fee, but all of the FEMA courses are free. Click on the links to register for courses or view specific information.

        EC-001   Level 1 / Basic Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (ARRL)  www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html

        IS-100   Introduction to Incident Command System (FEMA)  http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100a.asp

        IS-200   ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (FEMA)  http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS200a.asp

        IS-700   NIMS (National Incident Management System) An Introduction (FEMA)  http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS700a.asp

        IS-800   National Response Framework, An Introduction (FEMA)  http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800b.asp

Other Recommended Training Courses

       IS-802   Emergency Support Functions - Communications (FEMA)  http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is802.asp

        SKYWARN Basic Spotter  http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/skywarn/training.html#sched

        SKYWARN Advanced Spotter  http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/skywarn/training.html#sched

Recommended Publications

        ARRL: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course: Level I

        ARRL: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course: Level II

        ARRL: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course: Level III

        ARRL: ARES Field Resources Manual (available in pdf format under Operating Tools on Reference Document page)

        ARRL: Emergency Communication Handbook  http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9388

        ARRL: Emergency Power for Radio Communications  http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9531