Mission of the Emergency Communicator

As a volunteer Emergency Communicator, your mission is to get every message you handle to its intended recipient quickly, accurately, and with a minimum of fuss. Achieving this goal requires that you employ your operational and technical skills at the highest level possible. This means being adequately prepared to handle an emergency communication assignment, so that you can keep focused on the job at hand and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Being prepared for an EMCOMM assignment involves a wide range of considerations, including radio equipment, power sources, clothing and personal gear, food and water, information and specialized training. Having your Go-Kit planned-out and assembled ahead of time will help you be prepared when the call-out comes. It is important to think though each probable assignment you might be faced with and plan your Go-Kit to meet the situations you might encounter.

Type of Incidents

As an Emergency Communicator, you may be called upon to assist with various disaster, incidents and events, including:

Natural Disaster:

• Earthquake

• Wildfires

• Hurricane / Tornadoes

• Epidemic / Pandemic

Man-made Incidents:

• Terrorist Attack

• Mass Casualties

• Search and Rescue

• Aircraft Crash

• Oil Spill

• Hazmat Incident

Public Service Events:

• Races and Walk-a-Thons

• Parades and celebrations

• ARRL Field Day

Types of Assignments

As an Emergency Communicator, you may be asked to assist with any of a number of assignments, from a variety of station operating locations, such as:

Base Station

• Incident Command or other Fixed Command Post

• Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

• Hospital

• At home (HF Long-Haul Relay or Traffic Net)

Field-Portable Station

• Field Command Post

• Shelter

• Aid or Rest Station

Mobile Station

• Mobile Command Post

• Public Service Event Shadow

• Vehicle Ride-Along (Transport, SAG Wagon etc.)

• Relay Station (Manual Repeater)

Modes of Communications

As an Emergency Communicator, you may be ask to provide communications using a variety of modes

• Tactical Voice Communications (analog, digital VHF/UHF FM)

• Tactical Message Traffic (VHF/UHF Packet)

• Live Video (Amateur Television)

• D-Star Digital Data (D-Rats for Files Transfers)

• Long-Haul Message Traffic (HF SSB Voice or CW

• Other available modes (Telephone, Fax Agency Radio Runner

Some reason why you need a Go-Kit

• In the event of a major disaster, your assignment location will probably be without power, heat, water, and telephone service. Most businesses in the area will probably not be open, due to the emergency.

• As an Emergency Communicator, YOU must provide your own Equipment and Gear.

• YOU are responsible for your own Safety, and YOU must provide for your own Welfare and Comfort.

Types of Go-Kits

Your Go-Kit should be tailored to your needs, your equipment, your expected assignments, and the expected length of assignments. Go-Kits should be broken-up into different types of kits, depending on function and location

Basic Kits

• Day Pack--Items needed for a short-duration or mobile/foot assignment. Keep in vehicle for immediate access.

• 24-Hour Kit-- Supplemental items need for an over night assignment

• 72-Hour Kit--Supplemental items needed for an extended assignment of up to 3 days

Specialty Kits

• Office Kit --Paperwork and operational references that may be useful for setting-up and maintaining a portable or base communications stations

• Portable Radio Kit-- the classic "Radio in a Briefcase"-- for voice analog/digital data or packet.

• Computer Kit--Notebook computer and interface equipment for D-Star and D-Rats