Saturday, April 07, 2012
Updated: July 21, 2016

Hi Everybody!
Together, with your help, we are working towards getting CT ARES-Region 2
Trained, Active and Ready.

5 GOALS for Region 2 ARES TEAM Members

1) GET "CORE 4" CERTIFIED
On-line FEMA Independent Study Courses (IS 100, 200, 700, 800). ¹
- Each course will take you between 2 hours - 3 hours to complete.
- Print and KEEP copies of all your Certificates of Completion
- Make a PDF copy as well (get help if needed).
- Update your CT ARES records.


2) MAKE A HABIT of checking into
The CT ARES - Region 2 Nets (Weekly and Monthly)

MONDAYS - The CT ARES - Region 2 "Ready Net" (Analog)
- 7:45 pm – 8:00 pm
- Linked Repeaters:
Woodbridge (W1WPD/r 442.500 + DCS 073)
Killingworth (W1BCG/r 145.29 - PL 110.9),
Echolink on W1WPD/r

MONDAYS - The CT ARES - Region 2 "DMR Net" (Digital)
- 8:15 pm – 8:05 pm
- CT ARES DMR Network: CT TAC 2

MONTHLY - Data Nets (RMS Express & "Classic" Packet Radio)


3) Get Experience as a Net Control Station
Volunteer for NCS Duty on the weekly "Ready Net"

4) Take Important Additional Training:
ARRL's
Introduction to Emergency Communications Course (EC-001)*
- 9 weeks on-line, self-paced
Prerequisite courses: FEMA IS 100 and IS 700

* Required for Emergency Coordinator candidates.

Get Certified as a National Weather Service "SKYWARN" Spotter
- Basic Spotter classes offered annually (usually in the Spring)

Data Communications proficiency in RMS Express and "Classic" Packet Radio


5) PARTICIPATE in:
- CT DEMHS Statewide Exercise (annual)
- CT ARES Simulated Emergency Test (annual)
- Public Service Events (Do TWO in Region 2, and ONE in another CT Region)

NOTES :

1 - “CORE 4”
Our operations must comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). We operate under the Incident Command System (ICS) when activated.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now requires [ball volunteers, including Amateur Radio operators[/b] to be certificated in at least IS 100, IS 200, IS 700 and IS 800 course material - "The Core 4"

For non-governmental employees and others without access to classroom instruction, these courses are available as on-line independent-study courses that are free of charge.
- See link below.

AMATEUR OPERATORS MAY BE DEPLOYED TO:
- EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS (EOCs),
- COMMAND POSTS,
- 911 CENTERS (AKA: Public Safety Answer Points)
- OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE INTERFACE WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and IS 800 ("The CORE 4").

Several senior Amateur Radio operators have voiced public complaints regarding having to take this training.
While no one is "compelled" to take these courses, you need to know that not being "CORE 4" certified will place limits on what you can do and where you can do it.

WHY?
Two events have changed the training world: 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
During recovery efforts for these two events, we learned that the various agencies and volunteer organizations did not work well together.
This training was developed to remedy this situation.

The agencies we service require this training.

It's easy. It takes less than 1/2 a day.

Federally mandated way for federal, state, and local groups, and also for volunteer groups to communicate with each other.

It gives us credibility.
- First, we know how to talk to the government officials.

- Second, the fact that we have been trained and know the language gives us credibility when we enter a site.

Emergency entities that receive federal money to pay for equipment must be ICS compliant.

WHO?
- All CT ARES Appointees and Officials at the EC level or above.
- Any Region 2 ARES member participating with any of the served organizations in exercises or real emergencies.


The "CORE 4" On-line FEMA Independent Study [IS] courses are FREE.

IS 100: Introduction to Incident Command System
IS 200: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
IS 700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
IS 800: National Response Framework, An Introduction

Each course will take you 2 - 3 hrs. to accomplish.

Sign up and take these Independent Study (IS) Courses at:
training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp

After 12/31/2012:
Region 2 ARES operators who complete the requirements will be listed as "Certified" in our internal records.

However, any registered Region 2 ARES volunteer who has not completed the required training will be listed in our internal records as "Non-Certified", and will not be deployed to any site during any activation or drill after 12/31/2012.

Any Region 2 ARES operator who "self-deploys" and is not on the registered lists as "Certified" will not participate in activities where certification is required (all activities).