The first of five reasons the Federal Communications Commission gives for the existence of the Amateur Radio Service is to recognize and enhance amateur radio's value to the public "...particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

 

Indeed, volunteer communications operators and groups have used amateur radio to provided backup communications for public safety agencies for nearly 100 years. Event planners, public-safety officials, and emergency managers at all levels of government use the services of these operators, often when other forms of communications have failed or have been disrupted. 

 

Today, virtually all of the states and territories have incorporated some level of participation by amateur radio auxiliary communication operators into their emergency-communications plans.

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You can be part of this proud tradition with some help from EmComm College.

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This year's syllabus is still under construction. However, topics typically cover: the history of disaster communications and plans for the future; what you will do if you volunteer and the expectations for your contributions;  what you need to know to prepare for deployment;  and how to get the training you'll need to increase your effectiveness as an emergency-communications volunteer.

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The team building the course includes New Mexico Section Emergency Coordinator Jay Miller, W5WHN, New Mexico Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator John Nihart, N5JFN, and Wynn Brannin, KE5HVQ, a member of Bernalillo County ARES. In addition to its slide presentations, the team will set aside plenty of time for open discussion with these experienced volunteers.