Amateur Radio during Emergencies
When All Else Fails® refers to an American Radio Relay League promotion that publicizes the potential for trained, skilled and equipped amateur radio operators to offer communications during emergencies. Civic-minded hams often volunteer to assist communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, such as cell towers and wired and wireless networks. Amateur radio operates independently of the internet and phone systems and hams can swiftly raise a wire antenna, connect it to a radio along with an emergency power source, and communicate with other amateur operators, either locally or across the country. Despite these capabilities, most ARES activities involve non-emergency public events like parades and community celebrations.
What is AUXCOMM? AUXCOMM stands for “auxiliary communications.” Developed in 2009 by the Department of Homeland Security. AUXCOMM aims to ensure the availability of trained communicators who are able to assist state and local Emergency Management during disasters and communications disruptions. Because large-scale disasters often disrupt normal communications, such as cellular, wireline telephone, and internet services, Emergency Managers need a reliable pool of familiar, well-trained personnel who understand emergency operation and have demonstrated proficiency in working within the Incident Command System. To achieve this, Homeland Security developed AUXCOMM to provide Emergency Management with personnel capable of quickly deploying alternate communication capabilities when normal systems fail. Additionally, AUXCOMM personnel can establish disaster communications in the field and provide invaluable situation reports.
Fundamental to amateur radio playing a critical role in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a system of standardized training, a uniform incident management organizational structure, periodic exercises that demonstrate competencies related to each communication position and a system to review personnel qualifications by the states and territories.
The AUXCOMM EmComm training system emphasizes collaboration between amateur radio entities and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (states, territories, local government and tribal leadership) fostering an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) and the role of the communications unit leader (COML).
In May 2019, the AUXCOMM position was officially recognized by FEMA as part of the ICS in the Communications Unit when it was designated as a recognized Technical Specialist. During 2023, the Auxcomm position (AUXC) was elevated in status in the ICS Organization Chart when AUXC was made a credentialed position within the Communications Unit, reporting to the COML.
North Carolina Emergency Management has integrated AUXCOMM into its communications plans and activates AUXCOMM personnel during each state-level standup of the State Emergency Response Team. In fact, AUXCOMM is seamlessly integrated into Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF2), alongside other communications professionals such as 911, cell, and wireline companies, and broadband providers.
Groups that fail to embrace ICS training are unlikely to be activated during a declared disaster. Local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers without ICS training are typically limited to non-emergency roles.
The Role of NC AUXCOMM.
NC AUXCOMM stands for North Carolina Auxiliary Communication and its mission is to create a team of qualified auxiliary communicators, provide training and information supporting the Incident Command System (ICS), primarily serving the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM).
The purpose of NC AUXCOMM is to promote, support, and lead emergency communications activities that address community needs. Key factors contributing to the usefulness of AUXCOMM for North Carolina Emergency Management include training personnel to operate under:
- Standardized organizational structure;
- Standardized operating procedures that promote common terminology and practices across the United States.
- A formal nationwide training curriculum taught by qualified and credentialed instructors, offering a standardized curriculum; and
- A credentialing system that provides documentation of training, demonstration of skills and records of experience during exercises and actual emergencies.