The Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) course trains amateur radio operators to serve as auxiliary communicators during planned events and all-hazards emergency operations. Auxiliary communicators who volunteer to provide backup emergency communications support to public safety agencies.
Volunteer communications operators/groups, using amateur radio, and other communications platforms, have been providing emergency backup communications to the public safety sector for many years. Event planners, public safety officials, and emergency managers at all levels of government utilize their services. Often, amateur radio services are used when other forms of communication have failed or have been disrupted. Today, nearly all the states/territories have incorporated some level of participation by amateur radio auxiliary communication operators into their Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans (TICPs) and Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans (SCIPs).
This course focuses on auxiliary communications interoperability, the relationship between the Communications Unit Leader (COML) and the volunteer, emergency operations center (EOC) etiquette, on-the-air etiquette, FCC rules and regulations, auxiliary communications training and planning, and emergency communications deployment. It is intended to supplement and standardize an operator’s experience and knowledge of emergency amateur radio communications in a public safety context.
There are 2 versions of AUXCOMM training available in West Virginia, the CISA conducted course (Federal), and one conducted by the West Virginia Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (WV Specific). While the courses are similar, the WV Specific class focuses more on the WV SIRN system. People completing the WV Specific class receive recognition within West Virginia only. People completing the Federal course receive recognition as an AUXCOMM communicator nationwide.
This is a great opportunity for the West Virginia Amateur Radio Community to support our Federal, State, and Local First Responder and emergency management communities.
Course Prerequisites
The course requires students to have knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) gained by taking the following courses as prerequisites. The IS courses listed below are free and accomplished online at your own pace.
- IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System (any version)
- IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response (any version)
- IS-700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (any version)
- IS-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction (any version)
Participants must hold a current FCC Amateur Radio License