I need to correct the summary of my recent letter that appeared in the March 15 ARES E-letter under the title: ARES Volunteers and NIMS Compliance. Due to editing for brevity, the answer implied in the E-letter was incorrect.

FEMA NIMS FAQ 399 said:

Question:

What are the NIMS requirement for volunteers? In particular our Search and Rescue volunteers and CERT volunteers. Thank you!"

Answer:

As volunteers, you are not required to comply with the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System. However, volunteers are part of the emergency response community and they should understand the common terminology and role responsibilities inherent in both systems. We strongly recommend that volunteers, especially S&R and CERT volunteers, take ICS-100, ICS-200 and IS-700. They should take IS-800 if they are a part of a command structure."

My question to the NIMS Integration Center was:

"I recently read FAQ 399. Would this answer also apply to Amateur Radio operators that volunteer to assist in emergency communications between government agencies?"

The NIMS Integration Center responded with:

"The short answer is: Yes. In a response scenario that extends beyond local government, there needs to be common terminology and doctrine that everyone can follow so that personnel and resources are feathered in a seamless manner. This is especially true for radio communications. Radio operators need to understand what is being said and asked of them during an incident so that they can convey this information effectively and efficiently."

Piecing this logic all together said to me that Amateur Radio, like the S&R and CERT volunteers mentioned in FAQ 399 are NOT REQUIRED to comply with NIMS and ICS. However, NIMS and ICS training is strongly recommended.  The original E-mail thread is attached to the bottom of this page for completeness.   However........

FAQ 399 has disappeared from the FEMA web site!!  In my opinion, this makes the original answer from the NIMS Integration Center no longer valid.  Perhaps the answer is being reconsidered.

FEMA FAQ 313 "NIMS/ICS Training - For volunteers too?" has been updated.  I'm not sure what changed, as I don't have a previous copy of FAQ 313 before the update.  

FEMA FAQ 313 "NIMS/ICS Training - For volunteers too?" was updated again.  (I've saved a copy this time...).   Since things are rapidly changing, I encourage readers to go directly to FEMA's NIMS web site for the latest guidance.  Select "Frequently Asked Questions" on the left side of the page.

Please don't shoot the messenger.  I thought I was helping to clarify whatever the truth was, but I think I helped create more confusion.   Locally, I'm trying to push NIMS and ICS training for Amateur Radio.  I agree that NIMS and ICS training are strongly recommended for Amateur Radio operators involved in disaster communications.   I also agree that in the end, we must meet whatever the requirements are for each of the local agencies we serve.  However, even some local agencies are asking the question: "Will using any Amateur Radio operators not trained in NIMS and ICS threaten my agency's NIMS compliance status?"   All I can say at this point is:  I don't know, but we seem to be getting closer to an answer.   I am encouraged by the fact that FEMA does seem to be taking a little time from admittedly higher priority activity to clarify some of their guidance for volunteer training.  I encourage those interested to read FAQ 313 themselves, as well as other recently updated material on FEMA's NIMS web site. 

Ron Breitwisch, KC0OX
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Iowa District 6 West
CVARC Emergency Preparedness Director
http://ares.rf.org/linn/kc0ox.htm

-----Original Message-----

From: Ganem, Paul [mailto:Paul.Ganem@dhs.gov]On Behalf Of

NIMS-Integration-Center

Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 9:59 AM

To: Ron Breitwisch

Cc: Nims-Integration-Center

Subject: RE: Amateur Radio and FAQ 399

Ron,

Thank you for contacting the NIMS Integration Center.

The short answer is: Yes. In a response scenario that extends beyond local government, there needs to be common terminology and doctrine that everyone can follow so that personnel and resources are feathered in a seamless manner. This is especially true for radio communications. Radio operators need to understand what is being said and asked of them during an incident so that they can convey this information effectively and efficiently.

Please let me know if I can provide further assistance.

Regards,

Paul F. Ganem

NIMS Integration Center

-----Original Message-----

From: Ron Breitwisch [mailto:rlbreit@mchsi.com]

Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:49 AM

To: Nims-Integration-Center

Subject: Amateur Radio and FAQ 399

I recently read FAQ 399. Would this answer also apply to Amateur Radio operators that volunteer to assist in emergency communications between government agencies?

-----------------------------------------------------

Ron Breitwisch, KC0OX
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Iowa District 6 West
CVARC Emergency Preparedness Director
http://ares.rf.org/linn/kc0ox.htm