FMA-111 ICS Duties for ARES Operators

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FMA-111 ICS Duties for ARES Operators



It is very important to understand that all operators called to work in an Incident Command System (ICS) controlled event MUST insure that all assignments, delegation and hand-overs are done with explicit statement of intent and explicit statement of acceptance. Most problems will occur when duties are assigned and/or accepted implicitly. If ALL assignment, delegation, handovers, acceptance etc. are explicit, the potential misunderstandings are minimized or eliminated. A good technique to insure understanding is to repeat back what you understand the order or instruction to have been. This will expose errors before they can become a problem.

Event Check List:

The following are YOUR responsibilities for every emergency and many exercise events. Remember that during an emergency you will either be part of the solution, or you will become part of the problem.

Before you leave your house, you should:

  • Review your assignment to insure you understand what is expected of you for this specific assignment and where you are expected to be and with what equipment.
  • Determine the Staffing and Operations Net frequencies, offset and tone.
  • Record the Incident type, name and designation
  • Determine the Incident check in location
  • Record the reporting time
  • Determine the anticipated length of stay. Carry food, water, medications, clothing, fuel, etc. per conditions and length of stay.
  • Obtain the travel instructions (destination address, coordinates, etc.)
    • Review transportation requirements – to and from the assignment
  • Update your “go-bags” with needed items not normally stored there.
  • Ensure that you have sufficient copies of necessary forms.
  • Again, prepare clothing and food sufficient to handle the anticipated length of stay at your assignment.
  • Review communication procedures as necessary
  • Ensure that your family knows how to contact you while you are at the assignment. Contact information for a local ham might be necessary.

On departure from your house, check in with the staffing net to let them know you are in route to your assignment.

On arrival:

Check in at the staging area so the served agency records reflect your presence and can track your whereabouts.

  • Notify the staffing net that you are going to the operations frequency.
  • Check in with operations NCS to let them know you are available.
  • Determine where/when the event briefing will be (ASK!)
  • Perform the duties assigned in a manner consistent with good safety procedures and good Ham techniques. This will include:
    • Monitor work progress.
    • Provide your supervisor with appropriate status updates and notification of any problems that may arise.
    • Keep a good log of your station activities.

Once your assignment is complete AND prior to departing you need to:

  • Complete your work assignment
  • Brief your subordinates on demobilization
  • Complete event paper work
  • Brief your replacement as applicable
  • Follow incident check out procedures.

This means:

  • Check out where you checked in (if at all possible)
  • Notify Operations NCS of your departure
  • Notify the Staffing Net you are checking out from your assignment and are going home.

Upon arrival at your house, check out with the staffing net for demobilization and safety reasons.

That concludes tonight’s training. Are there any questions, comments or suggested additions to this material?

Thanks, this is (callsign) clear to net control.




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