Emergency Communications

Emergency Communications (ECOM)

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	ECOM Pin

ECOM Training Tips

ECOM Quals pin and certificate

ECOM Training Region Ten

0X1C Region ECOM Training Net

The Region Ten ECOM training net is being reactivated effective 18 OCT 08. It will be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. The net will be held beginning 1/2 hour prior to, and on the same frequency as, the 0W1B Washington traffic net. If the WA net changes time or frequency the ECOM training net will move accordingly.

Since this is an ECOM net members may receive double credit for participation. However, per Director, Region Ten, members must remain for the entire net to receive double credit. If you close down early you will receive only single credit.

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications

An emergency is any situation which disrupts our normal life routine, contains an element of unpredictability, and poses some degree of threat to the safety and well-being of people or property. Many times they are sudden and unexpected.

We all face "little" emergencies most every week: Run out of gas, flat tire, missed the bus while already late for work, 8 year old chips a tooth, the dog knocked over the potted plants. The word emergency takes on different meanings with each situation we face.

Emergencies that affect people as a group have a broader reaching impact. They can be relatively minor, such as a neighborhood power outage. A disaster is an emergency on a somewhat greater scale usually affecting a larger area with damage to property, personal injuries, and possibly loss of life; or at least a serious threat to human safety. Frequently disasters call for additional assistance from resources outside the affected area. It can be anything from high water destroying several farms' crops to the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Historically, when disaster strikes all communications from the affected area to the rest of the world are seriously impaired, overloaded, or even nonexistent. For the first three days after the Mexico City earthquake, for several days after the Alaska earthquake, and in many other instances of disaster, Amateur Radio operators have provided the only means of communication in and out of the affected area. They also provide a great deal of communication within the affected area.

Some of these same Amateur Radio operators make up the majority of the MARS program. They work in conjunction with many other agencies to train and provide much needed communications assistance when disaster strikes.

In short, emergencies and disasters mean two things:

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First, there are persons whose normal routine has been disrupted; probably with some degree of threat to their safety or property.

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Second, the situation calls for solutions to circumstances outside everyday life. Usually assistance is needed from outside the affected group or area.

Among all the adjectives associated with emergencies there is ONE we can do something about ahead of time: UNEXPECTED

Navy-Marine Corps MARS, as well as the branches of Army and Air Force MARS exist with one primary purpose in mind: "Contribute to the mission of providing communications on a local, national, or international basis. As an adjunct to normal communications... (MARS) provides communications to military and/or civil disaster officials during periods of emergency."

The pages linked in the Sub Menu to the left provide a lot of information and links to other sources that will help both MARS members and the general public in their preparedness for emergency situations. A great many other web sites exist as well.

Check out the Emergency Communications related links
It contains weather information, road conditions, and links to lots more info.

Specific MARS ECOM information is available to members in the "Members Only" section
For further information on emergency communications send e-mail to
nnn0as0-2@navymars.org

ECOM Pin

To help you better prepare for ECOM Region Ten has a series of training tips devloped by AS0 TWO (see "ECOM Training Tips" on AS0 FOUR page). All members are highly encouraged to complete the series. Once you do, you will be issued a certificate of completion.

Next, meet some additional criteria, listed in "ECOM Training Packets" and qualify to receive your ECOM qualifications pin.

Here's how it works.

Complete the series of ECOM training tips and take the review test. Submit the review test to AS0 TWO for grading. You will receive a certificate upon completion.
If you have not taken the four required FEMA courses yet, you will need to complete them and obtain your certificates from FEMA. (see FEMA Course Info on National training site) If you have completed the courses but have not forwarded the certificates to your state director, you need to do that. You must take the FEMA courses on line even if you took them through a local emergency management agency and received their certificate. You MUST have the certificate from FEMA to receive credit in the MARS program. Click on "FEMA Course Info" link above for details.
Check your log book (you do keep one as required by NTP-8, right?) for the Zulu date, time, and HF net designator of the last ECOM exercise, or actual event, in which you participated. If it's been more than a year you'll need to wait until the next exercise or actual event to get credit. If it was an exercise net it must be a state, region, or Area ECOM exercise within Pac Area. Actual event net can be for anyplace. DO NOT CONTACT your state director, AS0 THIRTEEN, or ASE THIRTEEN to look up your participation.
Send a message, e-mail, or letter via USPS to your state director, cc AS0 TWO, requesting your pin. Include:

a.) A statement that you have met minimum participation over the last 6 months;

b.) the date, net designator, and check in time for the last ECOM net in which you participated (in the last 12 months);

c.) the ZULU date and time you checked into PA1E net by voice;

d.) ZULU date and time you checked into PA1E via digital mode;

e.) a statement that you have completed all the FEMA courses on line (forward copies of certificates to your SD if you have not done so already);

f.) attach a copy of a properly formatted EEI message (actual event or exercise) which you originated and sent off. If applying via message use the readdressal method to forward this message.

4. Your state director will confirm that you have met minimum participation requirements and that he has copies of your FEMA certificates showing you completed the four required courses. If you meet the criteria he will forward your packet with a positive endorsement to AS0 TWO.

5. AS0 TWO will review the material and confirm the completion of the ECOM training tips and PA1E participation.

6.) If all is in order you will receive your pin on behalf of Director Region Ten.

7.) Proudly display your pin on your cap, collar, MARS name badge, where ever you like. Show the world you stand out as being well qualified and indeed prepared to meet the primary mission of MARS; ECOM operations.

8.) Don't stop there. Keep up the good work.

"Serving those who Serve"

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