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® members who wish to respond to disaster call-outs should plan to take the following courses:
  • ARECC Level I (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course)
  • FEMA IS-100 (Incident Command System, Introduction)
  • FEMA IS-700 (National Incident Management System, Introduction)

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

All of the above course can be taken via the Internet. You may also study the ARECC course on your own from the course book. Similarly, the FEMA courses may be downloaded and printed for you to examine at your leisure. ARECC 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 the St. Louis County ARES® general address. These courses are not difficult. You just need to take your time and make sure you understand each lesson before proceeding.

Emergency Communications Skills
  • ARECC courses:

    ARECC stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course. We strongly recommend that you take at least the Level I course.

  • Message handling:

    During an emergency ARES® members 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 Communications Tips:

    These are hints, tips, and other tidbits about emergency communications compiled by members of the St. Louis County ARES® group.

  • 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 members of the St. Louis County ARES® group.

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

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

    St. Louis County ARES® also suggests the following courses for those people interested in emergency planning:

    IS-22 Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
    IS-200 Incident Command System, Basic
    IS-317 Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams (for those active in your local CERT community group)
    IS-800 National Response Plan

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® members to attend a CERT training class.

  • SKYWARN:

    The St. Louis County Police Office of Emergency Management offers SKYWARN classes. While not affiliated with ARES®, we recommend these classes as useful and informative.

    There is also an online weather spotter course.

© 2008 St. Louis County ARES®

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