The S.T.A.R.S. Club has been discussing the possibility of helping the Lonoke County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to incorporate amateur radio into their emergency plan.  This will be a long-term project for the club that we will have to be absolutely sure to do correctly. Part of being responsible and helpful volunteers is being properly trained.

In order to participate in emergency communications, we will need to get ourselves trained to work within the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  This training entails taking courses online and passing online examinations.  You can find out more about NIMS training courses at the following links.  

 IS-100B Introduction to Incident Command

 IS-700A National Incident Management System: An Introduction

 IS-200B ICS for Single Resources and Initial Actions Incidents

 IS-800B National Response Framework, An Introduction

Have a look at these courses and think about whether you would like to complete them and take part in this volunteer effort.  If you decide to take the courses, make sure to save and/or print the certificates.  Be sure to never lose them!  The better we know how to fit within the system, the more likely it is we will be able to be helpful participants when the community is in need.

If you have questions, see Darin Dykes, KK5WA or Shane, WX0X.