Training Requirements

New Member Training Requirements

The following is a list of training requirements and activities for new members of ARESDEC.  As a new member, you are always welcome to participate in any and all ARESDEC activities when accompanied by another deployable member.  All of these requirements must be completed before a new member can be considered “solo-deployable.”    When you have completed a course, please send a message with a copy of your certificate of completion to  so the training officer can update our records.

  • ARESDEC New Member Training (NMT)– Outlines proper communication techniques and procedures specific to ARESDEC. Contact  for information on upcoming New Member Training offered by ARESDEC.  This course is usually offered twice per year, as needed, depending on the number of new applicants.
  • ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communication (EC-001) – This free course is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. The course has 6 sections with 28 lesson topics, and includes a selection of student activities, knowledge review quizzes, and a final assessment. The course is conducted entirely online and can be completed at your own pace, allowing you to work according to your own schedule.
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS) – These four on-line courses are provided by FEMA.   A FEMA Student ID is required to register for and participate in any training provided by FEMA.  The FEMA SID will serve as your unique identifier and be used to maintain the record of FEMA training you attended.   This is an easy process.  Just go to https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid to register.  Then complete the courses listed below.  Each course will take about 2 hours, and has a test at the end.

There are many other courses available through the FEMA Independent Study Program which you may find interesting.  You can view the whole list of these courses here:   https://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx?page=9

  • You must also act as the NCS for our weekly on-the-air Nets at least twice. This insures that you have a good grasp of ARESDEC formal Net procedures and communication practices before you go “solo”.  You should review, practice and understand Basic Emergency Communication Practices and Controlled Net Guidelines put forth by ARESDEC.
  • Finally, you must participate in at least one Simulated Emergency Test (SET) exercise, or another significant planned ARESDEC event.
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