When Amateurs grow up….

Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:30 pm
SUBJECT: A “new” nickname?

With all the advanced training a lot of us have or are going through, it
sounds kind of “amateur” to be calling ourselves Amateurs, and calling
ourselves hams … doesn’t help evoke any sense of professionalism.

I think we need to come up with a new technical and professional
sounding word for ourselves! Emergency Communicator is OK … but kind
of long and doesn’t really stand out and make an impression!

Ideas?

Ron Wetjen ”

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Then he replied to himself;

Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:33 pm

> I think we need to come up with a new technical and professional
> sounding word for ourselves!

After a little thinking, I thought of “Communications Specialist”.

Some poking around, and I discovered there is a “Communications
Specialist” position in the ICS system!

The position description below refers to the position on a Search &
Rescue team, but take that out, and it describes what we do and what we
should know perfectly! (Haven’t found anything yet, on the FEMA
Communications Specialist Course other than maybe IS-242)

“Communications Specialist” sure sounds a LOT better than “Amateur” …
and since it’s already in the ICS system, everyone already has an idea
of what it is!

FEMA US&R RESPONSE SYSTEM

Position Description:

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

The task force Communications Specialist is responsible for managing the
communications system for the task force during incident operations. The
Communications Specialist reports directly to the Technical Team Manager.

Description of Duties

The Communications Specialist is responsible for:

Participating in the development of the Communications Plan.

Assessing overall needs and developing the Task Force Incident
Communications Plan.

Obtaining frequencies, installation, operation, and maintenance of the
task force communications system during incident operations.

Coordinating communications with other appropriate entities including
the IST Communication Unit Leader.

Adhering to all safety procedures.

Accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all issued equipment.

Maintaining appropriate records and reports.

Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission.

Maintaining the communications cache in an operational state at all times.

Monitoring all task force communications.

Developing requests for ordering replacements for consumable items and
items lost damaged or destroyed.

Position Requirements and Criteria

Individuals who meet the following requirements and criteria will be
eligible to become Communications Specialists in the FEMA US&R Response
System. The intent of these requirements is to select personnel capable
of managing the communications needs of the task force in the urban
disaster environment. The requirements and criteria for the position are
identified in the following categories:

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities

Knowledge

1. Must have practical knowledge of current telecommunications theory.
2. Must have a working knowledge of the parameters of task force
communications equipment including:

Installation
Operation
Power requirements
Frequency programming
Field troubleshooting

3. Knowledge of incident communications planning and frequency management.

4. Knowledge of radio protocols and operational discipline.

5. Knowledge of amateur radio skills and operations, land mobile radio,
telephone, and satellite systems.

6. Must have completed the FEMA Communications Specialist Course.

Skills

1. Ability to work with and effectively communicate within the task
force and with other entities regarding communications issues.

2. Ability to effectively organize and plan during crisis situations.

3. Have a working knowledge of computers and applications.

4. Ability to program communications equipment.

Abilities

1. Ability to anticipate and plan for task force communications needs.

2. Ability to instruct task force members in the correct use of
communications equipment while deployed in a disaster environment.

3. Able to work at heights to place antennas, repeaters, etc.

4. Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ron Wetjen ”
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They have my membership on “Moderated Status” and they will not let any of my replies go through, so here is my attempted response:

Just call your self amateurs because that is what you are. A professional is someone who does something FOR A LIVING, such as fire chiefs, dispatchers, or police command bus crews. They are not amateurs. They are they the REAL Emergency Communicators, just to keep things in perspective.

Amateur radio is the backup plan to the backup plan. It’s a great resource when ALL else fails. If you walk around calling yourself a “Communications Specialist”, you will look like a complete and total ASS-CLOWN, which to me will give others a bad impression about ARES.