Position Qualification

The NRCEV isworking on the development of a position qualification system for EmComm volunteers, the EmComm Position Qualification System or EPQS.

Note: the EPQS has not yet been implemented and any certification requirements involving the EPQS Position Qualifications do not yet apply. Prior notice will be given for when the EPQS and associated requirements will become applicable.

The EmComm Position Qualification System (EPQS) is a “performance based” qualification system. In this system, the primary criterion for qualification is individual performance as observed by an evaluator qualified in that position; using approved standards.

In a performance based system:

  • Qualification is based upon demonstrated performance as measured on incidents, planned events, normal job activities, in simulated exercises or classroom activities.
  • Personnel who have learned skills from sources other than actual performance such as specific training programs (military, employment, etc.), may not be required to complete specific courses in order to qualify for a position.

The components of the incident qualification system are as follows:

  • Position Task Books (PTB) that contain all critical tasks, which are required to perform the job. PTBs are in a format that allows documentation of a trainee’s ability to perform each task.
  • Required Training and Pre-requisite experience that provides the specific knowledge and skills required to perform tasks identified in the PTB. This provides a direct link between training and job performance. These courses are considered the primary means by which personnel prepare for position performance evaluation.
  • EmComm Lead/Manager Endorsement that verifies the individual has completed all performance evaluations for a specific position and is recommended for qualification in that position.
  • Home Unit: the volunteer’s registered and designated local unit which is the responsible to document those they have endorsed for qualification in these positions. Endorsement for qualification and re-qualification is a determination that each individual Home Unit must make based on task evaluations, position performance evaluations and their own judgment of the quality of an individual’s experience.
  • Evaluator(s) individuals who observe the task(s) being performed by trainees and then documents successful performance for qualification/re-qualification purposes.

EPQS Positions

Three categories of EmComm positions have been established for inclusion in the NRCEV EPQS:

  1. Incident Support Positions (IS)
  2. Emergency Communications Positions (EmComm)
  3. Technical Specialists (TS)

The NRCEV has approved the development of all-hazards qualifications and Position Task Books for the following positions:

Incident Support Positions

Incident Support Positions are those positions used in support of incident management on an all-hazards incident for the efficient and effective use of EmComm assets.

  • Emergency Communications Agency Representative – Type III (ECR3)

Represents the personnel from a Home Unit, who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that Home Unit’s participation at the incident, in order to enhance the emergency communications of all emergency communication organizations and personnel involved in the incident.

  • Emergency Communications Agency Representative – Type II (ECR2)

Represents the personnel from a state or regional level organization, who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that organization’s participation at the incident, in order to enhance the emergency communications of all emergency communication organizations and personnel involved in the incident.

  • Emergency Communications Agency Representative – Type I (ECR1)

Represents the personnel from a national organization, who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that organization’s participation at the incident, in order to enhance the emergency communications of all emergency communication organizations and personnel involved in the incident.

  • Emergency Communications Liaison Officer (ECLO)

Represents ALL Emergency Communications organizations and personnel assigned to an incident and reports to the Incident Liaison Officer (LO) or Volunteer Agency Liaison (VAL) in order to enhance the emergency communications capability of all emergency communication organizations and personnel involved in the incident.

  • Emergency Communications Information Officer (ECIO)

Represents all Emergency Communications organizations on an incident and plans, coordinates, and monitors the preparation and release of public information pertaining to EmComm activities, with the Incident Public Information Officer (PIO), by developing program objectives or standards to determine priorities and procedures and evaluating effectiveness of publicity efforts. Prepares visual aids, exhibits, and audio-visual materials for publication and distribution.

Emergency Communications Positions

Emergency Communications Positions are those positions needed specifically for emergency communication activities and all-hazards incident use. These are divided into three sub-categories:

  1. Field Operations Positions
  2. Network Operations Positions
  3. Supervisory Positions

Field Operations Positions

  • Emergency Communications Voice Operator – Type 2 (ECV2)

Provides emergency VHF/UHF communications voice capability. Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher), if operating on Amateur Radio frequencies.

  • Emergency Communications Voice Operator – Type 1 (ECV1)

Provides emergency communications voice capability, to include HF. Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

  • Emergency Communications Digital Operator Type 2 (ECD2)

Provides emergency VHF/UHF communications digital mode capability, to include packet, VHF Email, VHF Slow Scan (SSTV) etc. Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher).

  • Emergency Communications Digital Operator Type 1 (ECD1)

Provides HF emergency communications digital mode capability, to include packet, AMTOR, HF/VHF Email, PSK31, RTTY, and HF Slow Scan (SSTV).  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

  • Emergency Communications ATV Operator (ECTO)

Provides emergency communications Fast Scan Amateur Television (ATV) capabilities.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher).

  • Emergency Communications CW Operator (ECCW)

Provides emergency communications CW (Morse code) capabilities.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

Network Operations Positions

  • Voice Net Control Station – Type 2 (VNC2)

Directs the activities of and manages a VHF Voice or Echolink/IRLP Net. Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher), if operating on Amateur Radio frequencies.

  • Voice Net Control Station – Type 1 (VNC1)

Directs the activities of and manages a HF Voice Net.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

  • Digital Net Control Station – Type 2 (DNC2)

Directs the activities of and manages a VHF Digital Net.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher).

  • Digital Net Control Station – Type 1 (DNC1)

Directs the activities of and manages a HF Digital Net.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

  • CW Net Control Station (CWNC)

Directs the activities of and manages a CW (Morse code) Net.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (General class or higher).

Supervisory Positions

  • Emergency Communications Squad Boss (ECSB)

Oversees a squad of 3-7 emergency communications personnel in all-hazard activities at a single location or for a specified shift/operational period.

  • Communications Support Team Boss (CSTB)

Supervises an EmComm Communications Support Team (CST).

  • Strike Team Leader, Emergency Communications (STEC)

Manages an Emergency Communications Strike Team, consisting of 3-7 CSTs all of the same Type.

  • Task Force Leader, Emergency Communications (TFEC)

Manages and Emergency Communications Task Force, consisting of 3-7 CSTs of differing Types.

  • Emergency Communications Net Coordinator (ECNC)

Manages EmComm communications networks (Nets) involved in support of an incident.  Coordinates network frequencies with the Incident Communications Unit Leader (COML).  Develops and prepares an EmComm Communications plan (ICS205-EmComm) as needed/requested by the COML.  Holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator’s license (Technician class or higher), if operating on or coordinating nets operating on Amateur Radio frequencies.

Technical Specialists

Technical Specialists are personnel with unique skills. These specialists may be used anywhere within the incident organization to support EmComm assets.

  • Emergency Communications Electronic Technician (ECET)

Provides configuration, installation, replacement or repair of radio, repeater, and/or ancillary EmComm equipment.

  • Emergency Communications Computer Technician (ECCT)

Provides configuration, installation, replacement or repair of computer equipment, operating systems, software, networking components, and/or ancillary equipment as used in support of EmComm activities.

Complete descriptions of each EPQS Position will be found in NRCEV PUB-420 EmComm Position Qualification Descriptions. This publication will be located on this website once it is finalized and published.

Historical Recognition (Grandfathering)

The initial implementation of the EPQS includes a historical recognition process that credits prior training and experience (Grandfathering) for all EPQS positions.

To qualify in an EPQS position utilizing Historical Recognition, individuals must submit verifiable documentation of active participation in multiple drills, exercises, training sessions and/or on actual incidents during which the individual performed activities similar to those required for the Position Qualification for which they are seeking, as well as any prerequisite EPQS position requirements. This documentation must include a PTB along with detailed descriptions outlining how the activities performed correlate to the Tasks required in the PTB.

Applications for Historical Recognition into an EPQS position will be required to be postmarked by a specified date that is still to be determined.  However, the timeframe will be between 12-18 months from the publication date of an EPQS position’s PTB.  Individuals applying for qualification in an EPQS position after the specified date, for that position, must meet the standard requirements as set forth in the EmComm Position Qualification Guide.

Individuals who obtained NRCEV Certification prior to the implementation of the EPQS shall be Grandfathered into the EPQS and issued qualification as ECVO or ECV1, determined by the class of Amateur Radio Operator’s license held.

All individuals who obtain qualification through Historical Recognition (Grandfathering) will be required to meet all standard requirements, to include Required Training, as set forth in  the EmComm Position Qualification Guide in order to re-qualify in their EPQS position or to qualify in a higher or additional EPQS position.

NRCEV PUB 410 – EmComm Position Qualification Guide will be made available on this website once it is finalized and published.

The NRCEV is in the final stages of developing the EPQS administrative and application procedures.  Once this is completed the NRCEV will begin developing the Position Task Books (PTBs) for each position.  However, it is not expected that all positions will have competed PTB at the time the EPQS is launched, but it is anticipated that all PTB will be completed by the end of the first year.

Keep watch for announcements and updates to this website for addition information on the EPQS as that information becomes available.

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