A few states have endorsed AUXCOMM as an official position within their state NIMS/ICS structure. AUXCOMM, although not an official national ICS position as of yet, is most often identified as a Technical Specialist (THSP) in the Communications Unit of the NIMS ICS structure. The concept behind the acronym was to educate as many amateur radio entities to work and train with public safety personnel, understand the value of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) concept and the role of the communications unit leader (COML). “AUXCOMM” is an umbrella term and acronym for “auxiliary communications.” It was developed by CISA in 2009 with the assistance of amateur radio subject matter experts. Texas: Governor Rick Scott said that amateur radio provides a critical communication link in the event of a disaster and recognizes the support Florida radio amateurs provide in times of emergencies.ĭHS Office of Emergency Communications: AUXCOMM Minnesota: Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed that during times of national, state, and local emergency, and for community and public events, amateur radio operators have provided communications resources at no cost. Michigan: Governor Rick Snyder cited Amateur Radios voluntary community service and its role in emergencies and disasters. Here are a few of the governors’ remarks: These states include: Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas and Florida. This new Colorado law can be found here.īesides Colorado, seven other states proclaimed the week of June 20 as a time to recognize amateur radio as a communications resource that can be used during national, state and local emergency, and for community/public type events. “This statute puts volunteer Amateur Radio operators on an equal footing with volunteer firefighters and other rescue workers with respect to legal benefits and protections,” American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Rocky Mountain Division Vice Director Jeff Ryan, K0RM, said. It also broadens the circumstances under which any disaster volunteer could receive Workmen’s Compensation benefits and tort immunity in Colorado. While the new law is clear that the unit is comprised of unpaid amateur radio volunteers, it authorizes reimbursement of their reasonable and necessary expenses. In 20, Colorado amateur radio operators played key roles in responding to major disasters in Colorado, including wildfires that destroyed several hundred homes and a 500-year-flood that inundated much of north-central Colorado. Governor John Hickenlooper signed the measure into law on June 6, 2016.Ĭolorado’s General Assembly determined “a uniformly trained and credentialed unit of communication volunteers available for disaster response” would “materially assist emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts across the state.” “While maintaining their traditional roles as Amateur Radio operators, many of these volunteers assist with the establishment and maintenance of communication facilities, assist with programming public safety radios during emergencies, and act as radio operators on public safety channels,” the bill says in its findings.Ĭolorado Section Emergency Coordinator and State Government Liaison Robert Wareham, N0ESQ, an attorney, conceived this law while he met with DHSEM staff after completing the Emergency Communications Division (ECD) Auxiliary Emergency Communications course in 2012. The law implements recommendations in a 2012 FCC report to Congress regarding amateur radio’s role in disasters and emergencies. Peterson, DHS OEC Technical Assistance BranchĬolorado Law Enacted to Codify AUXCOMM Unit:Ī new Colorado law has created an Auxiliary Emergency Communications (AuxComm) Unit within the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).
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