Certification

Home

Organization
FAQ
Board
Membership
Application
Certification
Background

WHAT DOES CERTIFICATION MEAN?

It means you have successfully passed the required educational courses necessary to become a reliable, informed and productive volunteer and participant in any emergency or support event within the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, our sponsor. It also demonstrates your commitment and dedication to serving the community most efficiently and effectively by investing time in learning how emergency events will operate in the county and your part in those events. Finally, certified operators also assist the Lake County EMA in obtaining and qualifying for funding, which ultimately helps support the Lake County RACES/ARES organization.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BECOME CERTIFIED?

You must successfully complete the courseware defined by the ARRL/ARES or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA).

WHY ARE THERE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION?

There are three levels of certification, designed to accommodate the various needs for trained personnel in any emergency situation, as well as to allow you to focus on the areas of volunteer service and amateur radio focus you prefer.

ARES – This certification is an excellent entry point into becoming a fully certified RACES/ARES emergency communication resource. Certification is easy! Just pass the Emergency Communications Level 1 (EMCOMM 1) course, as defined by the ARRL ARES organization.

RACES Level 2 – This certification is focused on compliance with FEMA and LCEMA training requirements. This level is the way to go if you are interested in focusing your time with serving the LCEMA with communications during emergency events. You should successfully complete ICS 100, ICS 200 and ICS 700 online classes for certification.

RACES Level 1 – The ultimate level of certification delivers the most rewarding RACES/ARES experience. Once you have completed EMCOMM 1, ICS 100, ICS 200 and ICS 700, you have reached the highest level of FEMA/LCEMA certification and are awarded Level 1 status. At this level, you will be one of LC RACES/ARES finest, relied upon as a knowledgeable emergency event communications expert.

WHICH CERTIFICATION PATH IS BEST FOR ME?

There are two paths to certification. You can select the one you are most comfortable with. You may elect to follow the ARES/ARRL certification path by taking Emergency Communications Course Level 1 (EMCOMM 1). You may elect to follow the RACES/EMA certification path by passing ICS 100, 200 and 700 classes. Once you have ARES or RACES Level 2 certification, you can then elevate yourself by completing the remaining training and become a RACES Level 1 certified communications expert.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE TO BECOME CERTIFIED?

That depends upon you. Most all mandatory and optional courseware is available on line and can be completed at your leisure in the evenings, on weekends, etc. To supplement this online courseware, from time to time Lake County RACES/ARES conducts classroom courses for those who prefer this method. The time investment is not excessive, but does require a commitment to learn and complete the assigned courses.

ONCE I AM CERTIFIED, DO I HAVE TO RENEW ANNUALLY?

At the present time, once you have completed a certification class, it is not necessary to retake that class on an annual basis. As the requirements for certification are refined and advanced by FEMA and LCEMA, it may require additional or new class certifications in the future in order to remain in step with their event operations standards. For example, we know right now the ICS-800a course will be an additional requirement for RACES Level 1 certification beginning in 2008.

WHAT IF I AM NOT CERTIFIED, CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE IN THE RACES/ARES ORGANIZATION?

Yes, most certainly. We urge every licensed amateur radio person of any age to participate and contribute to the Lake County RACES/ARES organization and our numerous activities. There are several non-emergency events we assist with annually where non-certified hams are welcomed and urged to participate. However, if you are not RACES Level 1 or Level 2 certified, then the likelihood that you will be called upon to operate communications equipment within any FEMA/LCEMA emergency event is low. Also consider that RACES Level 1 and Level 2 certification is required to qualify for a Sheriff’s ID card. Only individuals with Sherriff’s ID cards will be credentialed and granted access to controlled areas during emergency deployments. In most every instance, communications support staff will need access to restricted areas in order to perform their assigned duties. If you aren’t certified, you’re encouraged to participate in any emergency event. However, it most likely will be in support of non-communications activities in a non-secured area. ARES volunteers may receive day passes for clearance to secured event areas, but final decisions are always made by event management.

WHY IS CERTIFICATION NECESSARY?

There are several reasons why certification has been introduced to both LCEMA and the Lake County RACES/ARES organization. It establishes a well trained team of volunteers who not only are amateur radio capable, but are trained and aware of the organization, procedures and operational guidelines and policies that will be used during all emergency events managed by FEMA and LCEMA. Additionally, since certification is a requirement of FEMA, it is a key element to demonstrate local resources during issues of funding, readiness assessment and personnel capacity estimations. Finally, as mentioned earlier, most emergency support situations that we will be in secured and controlled areas. Access to these controlled areas requires you to have access credentials, such as the Lake County Sheriff’s ID card. To be issued a card, you must complete the required RACES Level 1 or Level 2 certification classes, as well as successfully pass a criminal background check.

WHY IS THE LAKE COUNTY ID BADGE NECESSARY?

It isn’t if you wish to volunteer to assist with an emergency event. However, only those with valid Lake County ID credentials will be granted access to secure event areas. Much of the amateur radio centric work we perform will require access to secure areas. If you aren’t certified and aren’t issued an ID, the likelihood is that you will not be assigned to a communications or amateur radio assignment. However, you can still volunteer and participate in other capacities without certification.

ALL THESE NEW ACRONYMS (NIMS, ETC.) ARE CONFUSING, WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

The acronyms and phrases are all part of the emergency event organization structure and policies that are being applied to all FEMA and LCEMA managed events. In order for you to participate and contribute to these events most effectively, it is important for you to have a good general understanding of the programs, event organization and policies. This is what the certification training supplies you, the knowledge to understand and contribute to operations which follow the FEMA guidelines.

MUST I BECOME CERTIFIED TO REMAIN A MEMBER OF THE LAKE COUNTY RACES/ARES ORGANIZATION?

Certification in either ARES or RACES training programs is not a mandatory requirement. You are welcome to join the LC RACES/ARES organization and participate in the numerous non-emergency activities, attend meetings, etc. Some join our organization to support the operation of the repeaters and have no intention of becoming certified. The door is always open, should you decide to make the step to contribute your time and knowledge in support of emergency operations in our area. While the focus of our organization is in support of ARES/RACES emergency communications tasks and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, you will always be welcome, certification or no certification.

I RECENTLY RECEIVED THE DIGITAL MODE CERTIFICATION; DOES THIS QUALIFY IN THE MINIMUM CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS?

No. The education and certification requirements we outlined are mandates of Federal and County authorities. The Digital Mode certification is valuable, but an optional offering of the Lake County RACES/ARES organization. We urge you to become certified in any of the Digital Modes that the RACES/ARES organization will use, but it does not act as a prerequisite or alternate for this certification requirement.

IS THERE A DEADLINE FOR CERTIFICATION?

Certifications are awarded annually. This year’s deadline for 2008 certification at any level is April 15, 2008. If you become certified after this date, that’s fine. However, certification and ID badges will not be issued until the following annual period.