This page will list ARES® and other emergency communications courses and opportunities.

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." - Earl Weaver

ARES® Registered Volunteers who wish to respond to disaster call-outs should plan to take the following courses:
  • The ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communication course (EC-001)
  • FEMA IS-100 (Incident Command System, Introduction)
  • FEMA IS-700 (National Incident Management System, Introduction)
  • FEMA IS-800 (National Response Plan)

Virtually all Emergency Management agencies are now requiring everyone, including volunteers, to take the FEMA courses. (See the SEMA memo1 .)

All of the above course can be taken via the Internet. You may also study the Introduction to Emergency Communication course on your own from the course book. Similarly, the FEMA courses may be downloaded and printed for you to examine at your leisure. Introduction to Emergency Communication exams may be taken from many local Volunteer Examiners. The FEMA exams must be taken online. If you have questions you may contact the ARES® Emergency Coordinator or one of his assistants (see the Contacts Page), or write to .
These courses are not difficult. You just need to take your time and make sure you understand each lesson before proceeding.

Emergency Communications Skills
  • Introduction to Emergency Communication course:

    We strongly recommend that you take this course as it explains virtually everything you'll need to know about emergency communications. (Note: You do not need to take this course if you already have a certficate for ARECC Level 1.)

  • Message handling:

    During an emergency ARES® Registered Volunteers are likley to find themselves sending, receiving, and processing formal written messages. The Message Handling page gives an overview of formal traffic and lists resources for amateur radio operators wishing to learn about, develop skills, and practice message handling.

  • Emergency Communicator's Notebook:

    These are hints, tips, and other tidbits about emergency communications compiled by St. Louis County ARES® Registered Volunteers.

  • Acronyms and other Emergency Communications Jargon:

    This is a list of acronyms and other jargon you are likely to encounter in the field of emrgency communications. The initial list was developed from terms found in the ARECC Level I course book and later augmented by St. Louis County ARES® Registered Volunteers.

Personal Preparedness and Knowledge
  • First Aid and CPR:

    The St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross offers courses in CPR and First Aid.

  • FEMA Courses:

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers online Independent Study courses through its Emergency Management Institute (EMI). You simply go to the FEMA Web site, select the course you'd like to study, then download it. Take the course at your own speed. Some people have completed a typical course in as little as an hour. Most people will be able to do the work in less than a day. When you have finished, go back to the FEMA Independent Study Web site and indicate that you would like to take the exam for the course you just studied. It is at this point that you will be asked to register (or give your ID if you have already registered). Like all Federal exams, this one will be multiple choice.

    IS-100 Incident Command System, Inctrodcution
    IS-700 National Incident Management System
    IS-800 National Response Plan

    The above courses are mandated by many EMA groups. You must take them before you will be allowed to work at certain disaster scenes.

    Important:
    The Emergency Coordinator must have documentation to show the served agencies that you have taken the requisite courses. Once you have taken the courses, please fill out the Transcript Request Form. Where it asks INSTITUTIONS TO RECEIVE TRANSCRIPT(S), fill in the blanks with:

    • Institution St. Louis County ARES
    • Attention Steve Wooten
    • Address 2834 Foxwood Drive
    • City, State & Zip Code Maryland Heights, MO 63043

    MAIL YOUR REQUEST TO:
    National Emergency Training Center
    EMI Independent Study Program
    16825 South Seton Avenue
    Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998

    OR

    FAX TO: (301) 447-1201

Emergency Organizations
  • CERT training:

    We anticipate that St. Louis County ARES® will be working with a number of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) groups. We encourage ARES® Registered Volunteers to attend a CERT training class.

  • SKYWARN training:

    The local office of the National Weather Service offers SKYWARN weather spotter classes. While not affiliated with ARES®, we recommend these classes as very useful and informative. Classes are free and do not obligate you in any way.

1 - Please see the Software section of the Resources page if you do not have software necessary to read these files.

© 2012 St. Louis County ARES®

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