Category: Training & Certification

Team leaders have been trained to evaluate their team members and check off tasks. Most of the team leaders have finished their ARRO (ARES/RACES Radio Operator) qualifications. Our training plan has been written in its official incarnation and is under final review. Once the 2014 training schedule has been determined, it will be submitted to Lisa Clarke, the Oregon Section AEC-Training.

Several members have been honing their traffic handling skills on the NTTN (Northwest Traffic and Training Net) and on our weekly net. It’s amazing how quickly they learn! We are trying to assure that at least one piece of traffic gets sent every week on the ARES net. Be ready; the next one might be for you!

Many Thanks to Sonny KF7SUH for a great “Alternate Power Sources” training at the November meeting. It was both entertaining and informative.

The ARRO and Net Control Certification check-off lists have been posted. We are still fine-tuning our teams. All members who have stated on their membership forms that their first service priority in a disaster is ARES are on served agency teams. All members with other first priorities, (NET, workplace or other agency), will be assigned a new team that we are forming. All team leaders will be ARRO certified and trained in helping their team members to get certified.

The ARES Oregon Section developed a training plan in October, 2011 as a way to verify to served agencies and other counties who may need our assistance that all ARES operators have a minimum skill set and consistent knowledge base. We have adapted this state plan to meet the needs of Multnomah County. We have developed a skills and knowledge check-off sheet or qualification card for basic RADO (radio operator) with add-on certification for Net Control. Other add-ons will be developed to include HF, Digital, CW and MAT Team. We hope to have all our members certified by the end of March. This program will be explained in detail at our October general meeting, so please attend!