Hi everyone! Just got my Tech license and want to get involved with emergency communications. My local EC mentioned I need to complete some FEMA courses before I can participate in exercises. Is it really necessary to take IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 right away?

I'm excited to help but feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the training requirements. Any advice on which courses to prioritize first?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to ARES! Yes, you'll need to complete those 5 online courses to officially join - but don't let it overwhelm you. Start with ICS-100 as it's a great place to start and teaches the basic structure of incident command. The courses are free and you can take them at your own pace.

I was in the same boat last year! All FEMA IS courses use current versions and require you to get a FEMA student ID. I'd suggest doing ICS-100 and IS-700 first since those are prerequisites for the ARRL EC-001 emergency communications course.

DHS now requires all volunteers including amateur radio operators to complete IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800. Don't worry - these are available as free online independent-study courses. Once you're certified, it's currently lifetime certification. The training really does help you understand how emergency management works!