1j - National Amateur Radio EmComm Certification ?

[WN9HJW]

National amateur radio standards?

Question 1j of the FCC solicitation

Should there be national certification programs to standardize amateur radio emergency communications training, mobilization and operation? How would such programs improve emergency communications?


There’s already a lot of that goes on locally with ARES and RACES groups, training courses are available online and through the ARRL. It’s all voluntary. Anyone who wants or needs training can get it. So this seems like a solution looking for a problem.

Are they suggesting that EmComm certification be required of all hams as a condition of licensing?

Are they suggesting that hams without certification not be allowed to communicate during emergencies?

I wonder who gets the lucrative government Amatuer EmComm training and certification contract?

[KM3N]

You don't have to go far on Google before you run into home office based amateur EMCOMM organizations pitching 'certification', with of course a FEE payable through PayPal.

I suppose the 52 years (combined) my wife and I spent in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Communications wouldn't qualify either us for anything without payment of a 'fee'.....

I have to ask: Does that fee to PayPal include a yellow vest and a hardhat with a spinning yellow light on top?

To answer the OP's question about who get the 'lucrative ... contract' - the pigs at the trough will be feasting soon.

[K0RGR]

National amateur radio standards?

Question 1j of the FCC solicitation

Should there be national certification programs to standardize amateur radio emergency communications training, mobilization and operation? How would such programs improve emergency communications?


There’s already a lot of that goes on locally with ARES and RACES groups, training courses are available online and through the ARRL. It’s all voluntary. Anyone who wants or needs training can get it. So this seems like a solution looking for a problem.

Are they suggesting that EmComm certification be required of all hams as a condition of licensing?

Are they suggesting that hams without certification not be allowed to communicate during emergencies?

I wonder who gets the lucrative government Amatuer EmComm training and certification contract?

I don't think they are suggesting any of those things, but I am not a mind reader.

One of the biggest issues ham volunteer groups face is the matter of 'credentials'.

Every organization out there that wants our help in a disaster also has their own way of identifying authorized volunteers. In order to go to the places where I might be needed in a disaster, I would need to have at least 5 different ID cards, and that's only because a few of the big players are willing to accept each other's ID.

Pretty much everyone requires a 'background check' to weed out felons and sex offenders, and you won't get past the barricades, or into an EOC, without one.

A common, recognizable ID would not be a bad thing for those who choose to pursue one. And you are correct, there are two classes of people who would seek to exploit this and turn it into some kind of 'privilege' that one must earn either through dedication of time or sums of money. The first class are the truly whacko whackers, and the second are the 'entrepreneurs' seeking to make a buck. Adding a photo to your Federal ham license would be part of the answer, but would not address the background check issue, unless they start requiring it for all hams. Even if you have one done today, that doesn't make you immune to criminality for life, and I doubt many organizations would buy it.

What we are doing to address this issue to encourage EC's to have staging areas where their hams will meet after a disaster, so that they can be escorted into areas where they are needed, because I honestly expect that most volunteers will actually show up without all the proper credentials.

[N0SYA]

The fact that we (US hams) are not under fed control (other than licensing and regulations) is of benefit to the nation. If you want to play radio ops in the fema archipelago I suggest you get a job with fema.

[KS4VT]

National amateur radio standards?

Question 1j of the FCC solicitation

Should there be national certification programs to standardize amateur radio emergency communications training, mobilization and operation? How would such programs improve emergency communications?


There’s already a lot of that goes on locally with ARES and RACES groups, training courses are available online and through the ARRL. It’s all voluntary. Anyone who wants or needs training can get it. So this seems like a solution looking for a problem.

Are they suggesting that EmComm certification be required of all hams as a condition of licensing?

Are they suggesting that hams without certification not be allowed to communicate during emergencies?

I wonder who gets the lucrative government Amatuer EmComm training and certification contract?

Nothing to say that this existing certification can be modified, if needed, to serve the purpose.
http://www.npstc.org/commUnitLeader.jsp

[N0WYO]

Our local ARES group is requiring all members who participate in weather spotting activities be EMCOMM certified. As one member put it, 'If FEMA comes here they'll only work with those of us who are certified.'

I told them if FEMA comes here, then whatever happened is extreme, and beyond our capacity to do any good anyway. Besides, if the very worse happens I should be with my family.

I cut my own deal with the county emergency manager. He told me anytime I want to volunteer it's fine with him. He won't turn anyone away, certified or not.

[N0AZZ]

BS on top of more BS let the save the world ARES guys take care of all the certifications most all of it being worthless except to satify a few govement agencys that in the end will only let them help with serving food or parking cars. In the end they have no real use for us as most of them have stated behind closed doors where I have been and heard the statements.