TOPIC: Introductory Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Course (EC-001)

Q: When will the revised Amateur Radio EmComm Level 1 online course be available?

A: The revised course, now titled "Introduction to Emergency Communication" was released for enrollment in April 2011. We are accepting registrations for sessions opening each month. The course session is 9 weeks in length.  The online course catalog provides more details about the course. 

 

Q: When will the new course transcript book be available?

A: The printed course transcript for the new “Introduction to Emergency Communication” course  will be available  July 2011.

 

Q: Do I need to take the new course if I have taken an older version of the course?

A: If you have taken the old level 1,2,3 courses you likely have a good handle on what is covered in the new EC-001. You may want to beef up your training by taking additional FEMA courses. If you are in a field leadership position, you may want to take EC-016. If you plan to serve as a Mentor or Field Instructor you will obviously need to become familiar with the new course content, either by taking the course yourself or reviewing the content updates that we will provide after the new online course content is finalized.  

 

TOPIC: Field Classes and Exams for Introductory Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Course (EC-001)

Q: I understand that there are sometimes classroom courses for Introduction to Emergency Communication offered. How do I find out if there is a class being offered in my community?  

A: Field instruction for the new Introduction to Emergency Communication course can be offered by ARRL registered Emergency Communications Field Instructors (FIs).  ARRL instructors will be scheduling classes and listing those opportunities in our website database where you will be able to search for sessions being offered in your community. If there is no listing for a class in your local area you might contact a local amateur radio club to find out if a class is planned.

 

Q: I want to study the material for the Introduction to Emergency Communication course on my own and then take the exam.  How do I find an exam session?

A: We will be providing an ARRL Emergency Communications Class and Exam Session Search linked to this page of our website that you can use to find approved sessions listed in our database. Field Instructors and Field Examiners are expected to provide information about scheduled classes and exam dates for this database.  This new database will be available August 2011.

 

Q: Are there ARRL EmComm Field Instructors (FIs) in my area who might conduct a training class? 

A: Use the FI search to find an authorized ARRL Field Instructor in your area.

 

Q: Are there ARRL EmComm Field Examiners (FEs) in my area who are authorized to conduct an exam session for the Introduction to Emergency Communication course completion certificate?

A: Use the FE search to find an authorized Field Examiner in your area.

 

 

TOPIC: Student Records/Certificates for Courses Taken in ARRL’s AREC Training Program  

Q: How do I get a record of ARRL Emergency Communications (AREC) courses I have completed previously? 

A: If you are an ARRL member you can access your student information in our database at Student Course History.  You’ll see our record of online courses you’ve completed with the Continuing Education Program and you’ll be able to print another copy of any of your course completion certificate(s).    

 

Q: I took an ARRL ARECC field exam. How do I get a course completion certificate?  

A:ARRL Field Examiners (FEs) forward the exam session paperwork to the ARRL to record it into our database. If you have provided an e-mail address on your exam registration, you will receive an e-mail notifying you of successful course completion when we receive the field exam packet in the Continuing Education Program office. The e-mail will include a link to your Student Course History page where you can download and print a certificate. Or, you can wait to receive a certificate via regular mail in 4-6 weeks.     

 

TOPIC: Information for ARRL EmComm Field Instructors and Field Examiners and Online Mentors  

Q: I understand that field exams were suspended for the Level 1 course 12/31/10. When will the new version of the exam be available?

A: We will provide new versions of the field exam for the new Introduction to Emergency Communication (EC-001) course in August 2011. Registered EmComm Field Examiners (FEs) will need to list  exam sessions with the CEP office and request new exam materials. Instructions will be provided to FEs of record as soon as the website tools are developed to manage this process. Meanwhile, students have the option to enroll in the new course online, complete the exam online and earn the course completion certificate.      

 

Q: When will the new version of the exam be available?

A: We will provide new versions of the field exam for the Introduction to Emergency Communication (EC-001) course in August 2011. Registered EmComm Field Examiners (FEs) will need to list  exam sessions with the CEP office and request exam materials. Instructions will be provided to FEs of record as soon as the website tools are developed to manage this process. Meanwhile, students have the option to enroll in the new course online, complete the exam online and earn the course completion certificate.    

 

Q: I’m already an EmComm online course Mentor, how do the changes in the training program affect me?

A: Refer to the communication from Mike Corey W5MPC on December 23, 2010. To review that communication click here.

Requirements for online mentors are the following:

• Completion of ARRL's EC-001 (old or new version)
• Completion of FEMA IS-100,200, 700 and 800
• 18 years old or older
• Technician class license or higher
• ARRL member
• Recommendation of Section Manager
• In addition, online mentors must complete a familiarization course which provides an orientation for giving instruction in the online environment.

If you have previously served as an online Mentor for ARRL EmComm online courses you will need to complete a new application with the ARRL Continuing Education Program documenting these requirements. We will provide an opportunity for you to review the new course before accepting students.   If you are new to online mentoring you must also apply to document the requirements for this role. Once the new course and course platform is active we will develop a new familiarization course to provide you with orientation before we enlist you to accept students.  

Please note: Mentors who have completed the Public Service and Emergency Communications Management (EC-016) course have met all of the requirements to serve as a Mentor and need only inform us that they wish to serve in this capacity.  

 

Q: I’m already an EmComm Field Instructor, how do the changes in the training program affect me?

A: As above, please refer to the revised requirements communicated by Mike Corey W5MPC on December 23, 2010. To review that communication click here.

New requirements are the following:

• Completion of ARRL's EC-001 (old or new version)
• Completion of FEMA IS-100, 200, 700 and 800
• 18 years old or older
• Technician class license or higher
• ARRL member
• Recommendation of Section Manager  

If you have previously served as an EmComm Field Instructor you will need to complete a new application with the ARRL Continuing Education Program documenting these requirements. We will provide an opportunity for you to review the new course before accepting students. If you are new to EmComm Field Instruction you must also apply to document the requirements.  

Please note: Field Instructors who have completed the Public Service and Emergency Communications Management (EC-016) course have met all of the requirements to serve as a Field Instructor and need only inform us that they wish to serve in this capacity.    

 

Q: I’m already an EmComm Field Examiner, how do the recent changes affect me?

A: As an EmComm Field Examiner, you must cease giving field exams after 12/31/10 and you should not resume giving exams until the new exams are available. We will notify all registered Field Examiners via email when the new exams are available.  You will not need to re-register to continue serving as an emcomm Field Examiner, as long as you are registered with the ARRL VEC as an active VE and are in good standing.

 

Q: How do I apply to be an EmComm Field Examiner (FE)?

A: Please register on our website at: www.arrl.org/register-to-be-an-emergency-communications-field-examiner. Requirements can be found here: www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-field-examiner-requirements.. 
For a listing of registered Emcomm Field Examiners click here.

 

Q: How do I apply to be an EmComm Field Instructor (FI) or EmComm Mentor?

A: You’ll find an online form to apply linked on this page: www.arrl.org/application-for-emcomm-mentor-or-field-instructor.  For a listing of registered EmComm Field Instructors who have completed the new requirements, click here.

 

Q: Is there an instructor’s edition of the Introduction to Emergency Communication course book?        

A: Plans call for publication of an instructor manual  to guide field instruction of the course content in late 2011.

 

TOPIC: Amateur Radio Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs (EC-016)  

Q: Who should take this course?  

A: This course is designed to train licensed Amateur Radio operators who will be in leadership and managerial roles organizing other volunteers to support public service activities and communications emergencies. If you are currently serving in a leadership role in your local ARES organization or are training to assume more management responsibility, you should take this course. Check with your SEC if you have any question about the appropriateness of the course for you in your role. The pre-requisites are substantial and can be completed over time as can this course which is open with no prescribed time period for completion. You’ll need to ask your Section Manager for a recommendation when you apply to take the final assessment. You can ask your SEC or DEC to make this request of the Section Manager on your behalf.     You’ll find a list of pre-requisites and information about the application for the final assessment at: www.arrl.org/ec-016-application-for-final-assessment.          

 

Q: How can I access the EmComm managers’ course (EC-016)?  

A: This course is available on the ARRL website, with open access to Members and Guest Members. It is not located on an online course platform so there is no need to register or enroll.  If you are an ARRL member you can log in to our website and access the course at: http://www.arrl.org/ec-016-course.   However, you will need to apply and pay a fee to take the course completion certificate.