Organization of Amateur Radio in ICS

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Organization of Amateur Radio in ICS

• Amateur Radio Communications Teams

By Brian Cook KI4HLW www.ircares.org
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Incident Command System

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

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Incident Command System

• It provides essential management using these
  aspects
• common terminology
• modular organization
• integrated communications
• a unified command structure
• consolidated action plans
• manageable span-of-control
• predesigned incident facilities
• comprehensive resource management

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Incident Command System

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

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EMCOMM

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

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Communications fall under Logistics

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

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ICS uses Resources

• Resources are a group of a predetermined size
  with a predetermined capability.
• With ICS, logistics managers use a standardized,
  four character, mnemonic nomenclature system to
  order all resources. It may be a fire suppression
  strike team, a task force, a medical unit, or a
  communications unit.

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How Amateur Radio Fits

• ARCT Resource Typing was developed in 2003.
• Introduced in QST in December 2003.
• Now in ARECC Level 3.
• Active TYPE I ARCTS being formed by the WRRL.
• And a growing number of ARES and other EMCOMM
  units.
• Has been cleared by NIMS Resource Center

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The ARCT

• The ARCT is the resource title for Amateur Radio
  Resources. It stands for Amateur Radio
  Communications Team though some states use the
  term Auxiliary in place of Amateur.
• ARCTs may be pre-existing units, but more than
  likely they will be assembled from existing
  registered EMCOMM operators at the time of the
  incident.

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ARCT Types

• ICS resources use Types to refer to the specific
  size and capability of a resource.
• The lower the number the larger the resource.
• There are 4 proposed types of ARCT resources.

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ARCT Type 4

• Mobile/Portable Field Additional Support Unit
• 1 Individual licensed ARO with vehicle.
• Technician class or higher.
• VHF FM (minimum) equipped.
• May be assigned to a specific agency or to
  supplement/relieve an existing ARCT.
• Rarely (if ever) ordered singularly.

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ARCT Type 3

• Mobile/Portable Field Units
• 2 licensed and registered AROs with one or two
  vehicles.
• Technician class or higher (At least 1 General or
  higher if available.)
• VHF FM (minimum) equipped, HF mobile/portable
  desired .
• May be assigned to a specific agency or to
  supplement/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT.

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ARCT Type 2

• Field/Base Station
• Short range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF) voice
  and digital communications.
• Is not dependant upon any outside power source or
  infrastructure.
• 4 licensed AROs (2 at least General class) with
  one or two vehicles.
• May be assigned to a specific agency, or at a
  staging area, CP, EOC, etc. for multiple agency
  service.

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ARCT Type 1

• Full Field Station and 4 Mobile/Portable Units
• Complete amateur radio emergency/auxiliary
  communications team for single or multiple agency
  communications.
• Short range (VHF/UHF), long range (HF) voice and
  digital communications. Is not dependant upon any
  outside power source or infrastructure.
• 12 (or more) persons including one supervisor and
  one assistant supervisor. Consists of one ARCT
  Type 2 unit, and four Type 4 units.

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ARCT Advantages

• Clearly defined capabilities allow Commanders to
  quickly and easily call up the exact capabilities
  they need.
• Standardized system allows better organization in
  mutual assistance or multi jurisdictional
  situations.

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EMCOMM Leadership under ICS

• There is a current trend to define EMCOMM group
  leadership as to follow the ICS system.
• All positions/responsibilities are pretty much
  the same as in current systems, many titles are
  the same also.
• One person can hold more then one position as
  needed by group size.
• Makes sure the responsible person for every
  aspect of the group is clearly defined.

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ICS Organization Level

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

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ICS Leadership Titles

• At the Unit level the EC would be a Leader.

The individual in charge of a single Resource is
called a Boss.
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ICS modeled Leadership Titles

• Emergency Coordinator
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator
• Planning and Training Coordinator
• Operations Coordinator (Nets, etc.)
• Logistics Coordinator (supplies, equipment (e.g.-
  generators, batteries, transportation, etc.)
• Records and Reports Coordinator
• Same responsibilities fit anywhere on the ICS
  organization

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For more info visit the WRRL websitehttp//wrrl.o
rg/arct_program/