Communications Unit Leader Training Courses
In the coming months, the Office of Emergency Communications is offering several opportunities to take the All-Hazards Type III Communications Unit Leader (COML) training course (see below for upcoming dates). This course trains emergency responders on how to serve as radio communications unit leaders during all-hazards emergency operations. This training will significantly improve communications across the multiple disciplines and jurisdictions responding to an incident. This COML training will qualify emergency responders as lead radio communications coordinators if they possess the necessary prerequisites, including knowledge of local communications; communications systems; and local, regional, and state communications plans. COML responsibilities include developing plans for the effective use of incident communications equipment and facilities, managing the distribution of communications equipment to incident personnel, and coordinating the installation and testing of communications equipment.
Documents
All-Hazards Type III COML Course Prerequisites
- A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; this experience should be validated by the authority who supervised the applicant.
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Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills. These skills include, but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of local communications and communications system
- Knowledge of frequencies and spectrum
- Knowledge of technologies
- Knowledge of local topography
- Knowledge of system site locations
- Knowledge of local, regional, and state communications plans
- Knowledge of local and regional Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans, if available
- Knowledge of communications and resource contacts
3. Completion of the following training courses:
- IS-700. IS-700 explains the purpose, principles, key components, and benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course also contains Planning Activity screens, allowing participants to complete planning tasks during this course.
- IS-800b. IS-800b introduces participants to concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.
- ICS-100. ICS-100 introduces the Incident Command System (ICS); provides the foundation for more advanced ICS training; describes ICS’s history, features, principles, and organizational structure; and explains the relationship between ICS and NIMS.
- ICS-200. ICS-200 provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS.
- ICS-300. ICS-300 provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are required to implement advanced application of the ICS.
OEC Sponsored Classes
Date Location
Registration POC
July 14-16 Columbia, South Carolina George Crouch
(gcrouch@cio.sc.gov)
July 14-16 Agawam, Massachussetts Rick Andreano
(Richard.andreano@state.ma.us)
July 21-23 Anchorage, Alaska Kathy Day
(kathy.day@alaska.gov)
July 28-30 Pelham, Alabama Chuck Murph
(Chuck.Murph@dhs.alabama.gov)
July 29-31 Westchester, New York Vincent Stile
(Vincent.stile@oft.state.ny.us)
August 11-13 Concord, New Hampshire Bob Pragoff
(Robert.Pragoff@dos.nh.gov)
September 30-October 2 Sierra Vista, Arizona Mike Todd
(mtodd@azgita.gov)
October 4-6 Springfield, Illinois Jill Gordon
(jill.gordon@illinois.gov)
November 2-4 Little Rock, Arkansas Brenda Roberts
(Brenda.roberts@arkansas.gov)
State/Locally Sponsored COML Classes
Date Location Registration POC
August 25-27 Seattle, Washington Type3COML@seattle.gov
September 23-25 Kansas City, Missouri Debbie Cheshire
(debbie.cheshire@sema.dps.mo.gov)
October 6-8 Springfield, Illinois Jill Gordon
(jill.gordon@illinois.gov)
October 20-23 Colorado Springs, Colorado Mark Hall
(mhall@fairmountfire.org)
COML Train the Trainer Classes
Date Location Registration POC
July 9 Nashville, Tennessee Louis Friedmann
(lfriedmann@tnema.org)
August 5 Indianapolis, Indiana Don West
(dwest@dhs.in.gov)
August 17 Los Angeles, California Michael Crews
(Michael.crews@oes.ca.gov)
September 17 Centennial, Colorado Pushita Loffreda
(Pushita.Loffreda@state.co.us)
September 22 Kansas City, Missouri Debbie Cheshire
(debbie.cheshire@sema.dps.mo.gov)