Last Update 06/12/2011
This page summarizes the training resources available for Colorado Section ARES. Periodic updates to this page will be made as additional classes or information becomes available.
As you train, ask yourself this question:
Do I have one hundred hours of experience, or simply that first hour of experience repeated one hundred times? This is important if you have
not trained recently because most of us forget material unless we use it regularly.
Is training manditory? This depends entirely on your served agency. Some served agencies require everything from ICS 100, 200, I-700 and I-800 to almost nothing. Some also require background checks and even others require a polygraph and an interview or a "Red Card" to work the fire lines. The bottom line is this: If your served agency requires certain training or has certain requirements, then that will be what is required for your district. Your district may also have other requirements. If you are not sure, contact your EC.
Packet Cluster Operation
Packet Clusters require different techniques then regular Packet operation. Those differences are noted in this procedure from KDØRC.
COPLAN
The updated COPLAN explains how the various groups in Colorado ECom "play together". This details how each group is expected to interact with other groups.
National Traffic System (NTS) On-The-Air Class Available! Contact Jeff Ryan KØRM. Jeff, along with Mike Stansberry, KØTER, conducted an NTS class early in 1996. For a videotaped copy of that class contact Tim Armagost, WBØTUB.
In addition, Jeff also produced an on-the-air NTS class, presented on the Southern Colorado Traffic Net for a five-day period. The class was very informative for first-time traffic handlers, and was an excellent
refresher course for seasoned traffic handlers. That class is now available for downloading via this web page. It's presented in five separate files which can be printed from your web browser.
View the National Traffic System (NTS) class.
Skywarn More detailed information about Skywarn and the people you should talk to about Skywarn can be found in the Weather page of this site.
Incident Command System (ICS)
There are self-study and class room courses available on the ICS and are available on from the FEMA Training Institute.
You may contact your local emergency management office or your local Emergency Coordinator (EC) for availability of these courses.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) The Department of Homeland Security has mandated use of ICS and its follow-on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by fiscal year end 2005 for any entity seeking federal money. If your served agency has not yet started with NIMS, they will very soon.
National Response Plan (NRP) IS-800
The National Response Plan (NRP) is the latest in "suggested" course material we need to know about. It is available via the FEMA link below.
Self Paced Emergency Management Course
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a number of independent study courses designed to educate you in some of the basic principles of emergency management. Course titles include Emergency Program Manager (IS-1), Emergency Preparedness (IS-2), Radiological Emergency Management (IS-3), Hazardous Materials (IS-5), Disaster Assistance (IS-7) as well as some other courses on disaster exercises, preparedness and response, and earthquakes. Most of these courses include reading a book on the subject and answering an exam. You're issued a certificate of completion and if you desire, for a fee you can get college credit for these courses. If you're interested in getting started in these courses, contact FEMA at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp