Summary of position expectations
- Installing, operating, and maintaining the task force communications systems including two-way radio, satellite, telephone, internet, GPS and networks during incidents
- Maintaining accountability, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs of communications equipment and keeping the cache in an operational state at all times
- Assessing overall communications needs, obtaining frequencies, and developing the task force incident communications plan (ICS 205) as part of the tactical action plan
- Keeping the Task Force Leader and Logistics Manager informed of the capabilities and/or limitations of incident communications
- Coordinating communications with other entities, task forces, and the Incident Support Team (IST) Communications Unit Leader
- Adhering to all safety procedures
- Maintaining appropriate records and reports
- Developing requests for replacement or repair for consumable, inoperative, lost, damaged, or destroyed items
- Operating as an IST communications center dispatcher
Requirements
- Physical Training Walk: Members must be able to walk 2 miles within 40 minutes carrying a thirty-pound pack (tested annually)
- Medical Clearance: Members must be cleared by Medical Staff (renew every 3 years)
Recommendations
- Mechanical Skills and basic electronic hand tool usage
- Experience with two way radio equipment
- Medical Clearance: Members must be cleared by Medical Staff (renew every 3 years)
Required General Training
Complete prior to application (no cost):
Complete once accepted to the team (cost covered by Task Force):
- Water Rescue Awareness
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation – Computer-Based Portion
- Blood-Borne Pathogen Training
- Critical Incident Stress Awareness
- CPR License (renew as needed)
- Confined Space Search and Rescue Awareness
- Structural Collapse Search and Rescue Awareness
Complete during New Member Orientation (cost covered by Task Force):
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation- instructor-Led
- First Responder Operations Level for Hazardous Materials (renew annually)
- Respiratory Protection Training and Fit Test (renew annually)
- FEMA US&R Enhanced Operations in the Contaminated Environment – Instructor-Led
Paperwork Requirements
After acceptance onto the Task Force, you will need to have the following documents on file:
- Memorandum of Understanding (renew every 3 years)
- Application for Federal Employment
- Immunization Record
- Signed Code of Conduct
- FEMA Transmittal
- FEMA Affidavit
- TEEX General Release
Required Position-Specific Training
- FEMA US&R GPS Awareness Level
- FEMA US&R Communications Specialist
Annual Training Requirements
- Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
- 1 Regional Training (1 day)
- Skill Set/Work Day (12 days offered; 6 days required)
- Offered monthly for 2-3 days at a time
Training Recommendations
- Swiftwater Rescue Levels I&II
- Wide Area Search
- MGT-314 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- ICS-300 and ICS-400 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- FEMA US&R Communications Specialist – Networking Workshop
- Incident Communications Technician (COMT)
- Communications Unit Leader and/or NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Communications Unit Leader
- Advanced Communications Specialist Qualification
- The 2005 or later version of the FEMA US&R Response System Communications Specialist Course, including the Non-Disclosure of Sensitive Information Training
Financial Requirement / Deployment Equipment List
Uniform items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided by the Task Force, items not provided include:
- Belt
- US&R Boots
- Sleeping clothes, Undergarments, and socks
- Swimmer’s towel and small towel
- Hygiene kit/Toiletries
The following items are optional for personal protection or comfort:
- Personal Laptop
- Multitool
- Additional bedding options for comfort
- Wet wipes
- Personal Hand Tools
- Other items as desired