Communications Unit Leader courses (COML) for 2019

Started by w7sar, April 18, 2019, 10:34:30 PM

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w7sar


Experienced communicators:

It looks like CAP NHQ Comm will have two courses available for senior members this summer.


National Emergency Services Academy (Indiana) July 22-24 2019
Lone Star Emergency Services Academy (Texas) July 9-11 2019

Each venue (NESA and LESA) has application procedures that you'll need to follow.  Finding these courses locally is often a challenge, so this may afford you the opportunity to attend if you desire.  Apply quickly, the number of students allowed in the course is limited.


This is a FEMA certified Communications Unit Leader course (COML).  As such, all students will need to have completed the online courses IS100, IS200, IS700, and IS800.  Students will also need to have completed the in-residence ICS-300 course. 


This COML course covers material that one would need to know to function as a communications leader in an all-hazards, multi-agency event under the NIMS ICS structure.  Instructors are extremely experienced and have been approved by HLS to teach these courses.


If you have questions about either of these courses, contact NESA or LESA or email dokt@capnhq.gov


Whether or not you have an opinion as to applicability of this course to CAP members is irrelevant.  This course is for communicators desiring to function in a multi-agency environment following FEMA/NIMS/ICS guidelines. This course is for experienced communicators willing to learn new concepts.  Yes, there is a "position task book" associated with COML.  This is similar to our current SQTR system.  Despite rumors to the contrary, CAP has a mechanism to help you complete your PTB.  As with any all-hazards qualification in the FEMA world, your mileage WILL vary by state.  This is not unique to CAP, but to ANY person who has completed a PTB qualification.


At some point, this course will be required for an advanced communications level SQTR in CAP.  Not having this course will NOT prevent you from functioning in a traditional CAP communications mission role for CAP missions.  This course WILL help you expand your expertise and potential role in a multi-agency operation as a CAP member.


Rather than engage in a protracted debate on this forum, you are welcome to contact me directly by email or phone and I will be happy to discuss CAP's vision of COML and how this is seen as a critical step in communications support in a NIMS/ICS arena going forward.  Phone: 801-541-3731.  Email: jwellman@cap.gov


Thank you for your dedicated service to CAP!

Jerry Wellman
Jerry Wellman, Col., CAP
NHQ CAP Assistant Senior Program Manager
Command & Control Communications
jwellman@cap.gov
(C) 801.541.3741
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

N643GP

I'm the Lead Instructor for the COML offering at the Lone Star Emergency Services Academy (Texas) July 9-11 2019. There are several vacancies available.

This offering is available to all CAP member who meet the minimum FEMA reequipments to attend... ICS 300 seems to be the most overlooked prerequisite.

You may contact me directly, see below, if you have questions.  Please send your paperwork to the TEXAS DoC and/or Jerry Wellman well before the class so any paperwork issues can be addressed.

All students must complete the FEMA 119-25-1 form (with Student ID) signed by the student and Jerry Wellman CAP and bring to class. The FEMA SID has replaced the SSN on all DHS Classes. If you do not have a SID you can go to: https://training.fema.gov/EMI/ and click on the link for FEMA SID.

            IS-100.b (or subsequent versions) Introduction to the Incident Command System
            IS-200.b (or subsequent versions) ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
            IS-700.a, (or subsequent versions) National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
            IS-800.b. (or subsequent versions) National Response Framework, An Introduction and
            ICS-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents


The primary intent of CAP Communicators attending the FEMA All Hazard (AH) Communications Unit Leader (COML) course is to aline CAP practices with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  All incidents/events in the US: local, state and federal, are managed under this standard/policy to ensure interoperability, common practices and terminology.

It is very important that CAP "talks-the-talk" of NIMS while supporting AH Incident Management Teams (IMT) and avoids CAP specific "lingo". Following this protocol will enhance creditability while supporting not only an IMT, but also the subordinate responders.

This course is exactly the course that all IMT Communications Unit Leaders take.  This, in conjunction with CAP communications training will provide CAP personnel the tools to enhance our internally and externally competence.
This federal offering allows participants to be "credentialed" by CAP as a Communications Unit Leader and provides a path to deploy not only on a CAP IMT, but also on any local, state or federal IMT.

The primary goal of the NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Training Program is to provide advanced level training needed by personnel responsible for managing incidents of greater complexity than those typically encountered during routine operations. This training is designed to provide all-hazards competencies and behaviors for Command and General Staff and selected Unit Leader positions within a Type III and/or Type IV IMT environment. Competencies in the training are focused around the ability of the student to assume specific position responsibilities, lead assigned personnel, communicate effectively, and to ensure the completion of assigned tasks in order to meet identified objectives for the position.

The Communications Unit Leader course helps participants establish the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the COML in an AH incident/event. This course addresses all responsibilities appropriate to a COML operating in a federal, state or local AH-IMT. These responsibilities include the collection, processing, and dissemination as needed to facilitate operations of command, general staff, and unit leaders within the confines of an IMT. The course is an instructor-led training that supports learning through discussion, lecture, and active participation in multiple exercises.

I do NOT check this site often.

Gary Parker
Texas US&R COMC
FEMA IST COML
DHS/ECD & FEMA Instructor
817-994-0884
643@Verizon.Net