Training


Training:

Emergency Communications Training

Having your amateur radio license doesn't make you an effective emergency communicator any more than a driver's license makes a teenager a good motorist. Becoming an effective emergency communicator is a matter of training and experience. Training provides background knowledge of what to do; Experience teaches you how to do them effectively. Training and experience are not exclusive subjects. Possessing one is a fine start to obtaining the other to ensure your effectiveness.

KYHAM supports all efforts to expand the knowledge of amateur radio volunteers. It is hoped that his section can serve as a solid starting point to discover available EmComm resources.

Online Training Resources:

Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service offers the KY ARES Online Training Course without cost . In addition to recognition by KY ARES, the course grants 2 CEU's from Kentucky Emergency Management. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a PDF certificate and will be listed on the KY ARES Training Graduate Page.

Effective in 2006, many public service agencies and facilities began requiring volunteers to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training. The most commonly required courses are IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800. These free courses and many others are available on the Federal Emergency Management's Independent Study Program Web Site.

The American Radio Relay League offers several emergency communications courses in its Continuing Education Program. These courses are open to all amateurs and require tuition.

Other Sources of Training:

Perhaps the most important training any of us can take is basic first aid and CPR training. The probability you will use those skills in a disaster doesn't compare to the possibility you may use them to help a family member or co-worker. This training is available from the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides basic community response skills during time of disaster. Kentucky CERT Groups are listed here.

Kentucky Emergency Management offers a wide variety of training courses.

KYHAM EmComm Training Articles:

The following articles are presented freely for non-profit use. Feel free to use this material on your local ARES nets, in classes, or at club meetings. if you have documents to share with the KY EmComm community. .

A 12 Volt Standby Power System
Amateur Radio and Amber Alerts
American Red Cross
Are We Prepared?
ARRL Public Service Communication Manual
ARRL Public Service Forms
Auxiliary Power Systems

Baptist Brotherhood Disaster Relief Org
Basic Rules for Emergency Operations
Citizens Preparedness Guide
Considerations on Amateur Radio Repeaters
Dangers of Being a Leader and a Follower
Disaster Communications
Disaster Driving
Do We Serve?
Earthquake Preparation
Emergency Coordinator Duties
First on Scene
FM and Repeater Operations
Get The Most from Your Handheld

Hamstick Dipole Antenna

Hazard Assessment
History of ARES and NTS
How is the KEN Activated?
How NOT to Behave at a Command Post
How to Choose the Proper Generator
How to Sound Like an Experienced Ham
Importance of Training
Incident Command System
Incident Information and the Media
Indecision Can Kill
Interference Issues in Command Post Ops

Keeping up with Comm Technology
KY Division of Emergency Management
Kentucky Emergency Frequencies
KY Protection for Volunteer EM Employees
Kentucky Weather Radio "SAME" codes

Mennonite Disaster Services
Mobile Command Posts: Design Issues
Mobile Radio Installation
National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
Net Participation and Emergency Ops
Operational Stress
Planning Information in A Response
Preparing for Terrorism
RACES Nets
Radiograms
Responder Safety
Safety Considerations and WMD
Salvation Army
Self Assessment

Self Contained ARES Communication Kit
Serving Served Agencies
Skywarn Agency Relationships
Skywarn Response Concerns
When is an Emergency an Emergency?
Winter Safety and Preparedness
Winter Preparedness for Amateur Radio
Winter Preparedness For Hams 2001

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Which Is Best for Emergency Coms?
Working with Public Safety Officials