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. 

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. 

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.

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to find an Emcomm class or exam.

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

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

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).  

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.

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. 

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.   

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.

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.

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.

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. To learn more about the pre-requisites and applicaiotn process for the final assessment go to www.arrl.org/ec-016-application-for-final-assessment.  

To learn more about the EC-016 course and to register, visit our EC-016 course page.