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What is the Humboldt County Auxiliary Communications Team?
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services’ Auxiliary Communications Team, or AuxComm Team, is a volunteer team of local amateur radio operators who can be activated during an emergency incident where normal methods of communication are disrupted. During and after disasters, amateur radio operators set up and operate organized communication networks to assist local governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster.
Mission
The mission of the Humboldt County Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) is to provide communications support to the County of Humboldt with affiliated Disaster Service Worker Volunteers (DSWV) experienced in auxiliary communications under the direction and authority of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services.
Responsibilities
In an event causing or threating to inhibit communications, AUXCOMM volunteers maybe called to assist in relaying communications from Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to field operations. Radio is not reliant on repeaters or other infrastructure to pass radio traffic.
In addition to providing communications between the County EOC and field operations, AUXCOMM volunteers may be called upon to provide the following services:
- Be deployed to an Incident Command Post(s) (ICP) or Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) partner to perform communication duties that would link between the public and the EOC.
- Engage in voice, digital, or morse code to provide communications between the County EOC and COAD partners, including but not limited to agencies outside the County, as required.
- Be deployed to assist other DSWV’s deployed during an emergency incident or event to provide communications between teams and to the EOC.
- Be deployed throughout the County to provide situational awareness.
- Non-emergency activities such as communications support for public events and partner agency assistance.
AUXCOMM is designed for volunteers who have a desire to learn and assist with emergency communications. AUXCOMM is a team operation and requires volunteers who are willing to dedicate time for additional training in emergency communications and participate in emergency communication exercises. As a team, the volunteer should be in good standing in the community and be able to manage stress in adverse conditions.
While a current radio license is required to transmit on radio equipment, a radio license is not required for all AUXCOMM positions. Non-licensed volunteers may be assigned to support message centers at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Incident Command Post(s) (ICP), and as needed for general logistical support.
AuxComm Volunteer Membership Levels
Level 1: Trainee
This is the primary level for those who choose a non-leadership role as well as those new to emergency communications.
Participation | |
---|---|
Obtain Task Book | Required |
Join AuxComm | Required |
Proficiency/Skill | |
---|---|
Obtain Technician Class or higher license or GMRS license | Encouraged |
Level 2: AuxComm Volunteer
This training level builds upon what has been learned in Level 1, and participants in Level 2 may elect to remain at this level based upon the extent of their desired AuxComm involvement.
Participation | |
---|---|
Obtain Task Book | Required |
Join AuxComm | Required |
Live Scan – Background Check | Required |
Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Oath of Loyalty | Required |
Net Participation (Once per Quarter) | Required |
Public Service Event (Annually) | Required |
Activate or Deploy to Emergency Incident | Encouraged |
AuxComm Appointments to Volunteer Positions | Encouraged |
Exercise Participation (Annually) | Optional |
Serve as Net Control | Optional |
Proficiency/Skill | |
---|---|
Obtain Technician Class or higher license or GMRS license | Required |
Program tone into HT | Required |
Program frequency & offset into radio | Required |
Write and send an ICS-213 message | Required |
Build a simple dipole antenna | Encouraged |
Build Powerpole® adapter cable | Encouraged |
Solder PL259 connector to coax | Encouraged |
Assemble a 24-hour Deployment Kit | Encouraged |
Operate VHF Digital messaging station | Optional |
Operate unit specific VHF or HF station | Optional |
Level 3: AuxComm Liaison
Level 3 builds from Level 2 prepares the participant to take on AuxComm Team leadership roles.
Participation | |
---|---|
Obtain Task Book | Required |
Join AuxComm | Required |
Live Scan – Background Check | Required |
Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Oath of Loyalty | Required |
Net Participation (Once per Quarter) | Required |
Serve as Net Control Station (NCS) on a weekly net (Once Per Quarter) | Required |
Public Service Event (Annually) | Required |
Exercise Participation (Bi-Annually) | Required |
Activate or Deploy to Emergency Incident | Encouraged |
AuxComm Appointments to Volunteer Positions | Encouraged |
Exercise Participation (Annually) | Optional |
Proficiency/Skill | |
---|---|
Obtain a General Class License or Higher | Required |
Program tone into HT | Required |
Program frequency & offset into radio | Required |
Proficient with Incident Action Plan ICS forms | Required |
Operate unit specific VHF or HF station | Required |
Build a simple dipole antenna | Encouraged |
Build Powerpole® adapter cable | Encouraged |
Solder PL259 connector to coax | Encouraged |
Assemble a 24-hour Deployment Kit | Encouraged |
Operate HF Digital messaging station | Optional |
Operate VHF Digital messaging station in peer-to-peer mode | Optional |
Leadership | |
---|---|
Present a training session (Annually) | Required |
Hold/held a leadership position in AuxComm | Required |
Participate in PIO activities (PR-101 Qualifies) | Encouraged |
EC-001 Course Instructor/Mentor | Encouraged |