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 Previous: FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Letters for the Period Ending June 28, 2003 | ![Next (later) Story](/images/sty-up.gif ""BPL is a Pandora's Box of Unprecedented Proportions," ARRL Tells FCC"){kind=small} Next: "BPL is a Pandora's Box of Unprecedented Proportions," ARRL Tells FCC |
Completion Rate of CNCS Grant-Sponsored ARECC Courses Approaches 70 Percent
With a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), ARRL provides tuition reimbursement for US Amateur Radio operators wishing to receive emergency communication training through ARRL's Certification and Continuing Education program.
In 2002, ARRL proposed to CNCS that it could greatly expand its emergency communication training program with grant funding. The training is supported by a three-year, $540,000 federal homeland security grant from CNCS. The League was among several dozen nonprofit organizations designated to receive some $10.3 million in federal money to boost homeland defense volunteer programs. Through the end of June 2003, 2256 emergency communication volunteers have started the Level I course through the grant-funded program, and 1573 have completed the training, just shy of a 70% completion rate. "That's pretty good," said ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG. "The rate is starting to reach up to where it should be and we expect it will get to around 75%."
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for all Americans to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Members and volunteers serve with national and community nonprofit organizations, and local agencies to help meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other critical areas.
"Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communication," is a basic Amateur Radio Emergency Communication course (ARECC) to raise awareness and provide practical knowledge for amateur emergency communication volunteers.
The course includes basic message handling, equipment and use, the incident command structure, and operations and logistics, among other topics. This course has 20 lesson units and takes about 25 hours to complete over an 8-week period; there are also intermediate and advanced courses available for further study and training. Continuing education units are also available.
IN THE NEWS:
Grant-Aided Training, Volunteers a Key Reason for Affiliation
ARRL signed a Statement of Affiliation with Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance public preparedness and safety, during the ARRL 2003 National Convention June 21 in Arlington, Texas. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, signed the statement, while Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (FEMA) Ron Castleman represented Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response Michael D. Brown at the signing.
The document recognizes the lead ARRL has taken in training volunteer emergency communicators through various avenues, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses. "Together, DHS and the ARRL agree to work collaboratively to raise public awareness about the use of Amateur Radio as a public safety resource and provide training and accreditation for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications," according to the statement.
New E-Mail Service Provides Advance Notification
A new service debuted June 13 that allows those interested in taking an ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) course in the future to receive advance word of registration opportunities via e-mail. To take advantage, send an e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, include the course name or number (EC-001). In the message body, include your name, call sign, e-mail address, and the month you want to start the course. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page.
ARRL Sets Dates for July Emergency Communications Course Seminars
The ARRL will offer a free Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) seminar Friday, July 11, in conjunction with the Southeastern Division ARRL Convention 2003 in Gainesville, Georgia, sponsored by the Lanierland Amateur Radio Club and presented by ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG. He will also speak in Fort Tuthill, Arizona, July 25 through 27.
The seminar does not include the Level I course. This program is designed to explain in greater detail the duties of volunteer certification mentors, instructors and examiners of the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses and provide additional information for those considering these volunteer positions. "With Level I emergency communications training being offered nationwide under the homeland security grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, we hope to have all ARECC team players reading from the same page to ensure success under the federal grant guidelines," Miller said.
Seating for the programs may be limited. If you plan to attend either seminar, contact Miller by e-mail at k3ufg@arrl.org; by telephone at 860-594-0340; or via fax at 860-594-0259. For registered CMs, CIs and CEs who attend, mileage may be reimbursable up to a total of $35. In June, Miller gave a seminar to 23 folks interested in grant-funded emergency communication courses at SeaPac in Seaside, Oregon, and to 29 more people at Ham-Com in Arlington, Texas.
For more information on this exciting opportunity for
learning and service, check out the ARRL Certification and
Education Web pages or send e-mail to ARRL EmComm Courses Grants Manager
Dan Miller, K3UFG, at k3ufg@arrl.org.
| Previous: FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Letters for the Period Ending June 28, 2003 | Next: "BPL is a Pandora's Box of Unprecedented Proportions," ARRL Tells FCC |
