REACT EComm Training
7001 Ethan Allen Way
Valley Station KY 40272-1305

or e-mail:

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS (ECOMM) CERTIFICATION TRAINING PROGRAM

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The REACT EComm Certification is a program to provide the public service community with trained radio operators who will have a consistent level of expertise in Emergency Communications no matter where they live.

This program is deliberately very similar to the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications certification program and, wherever possible, the two programs provide an identical or equivalent curriculum. Due to the multi- service nature of REACT emergency communications, the REACT program includes material that is not applicable to the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications program. REACT members who hold an Amateur Radio operator license are highly encouraged to complete both certification programs. (You will find this is very nearly ‘two for the price of one’ due to the significant duplication between these programs).

Due to REACT’s international nature we face differences in infrastructure, social institutions and customs, and especially laws and regulations, which may create significant differences in various countries where REACT is active. The basic principles described here will apply to almost any setting, but members in countries outside the United States should expect differences in specific procedures. A version of this program may be developed for REACT members in other countries as resources allow.

Neither your radio operator license nor this Emergency Communications certification is a substitute for localized training. However, localized training cannot succeed without foundations such as the appropriate licenses and technical background. To be successful, one needs all these components:

• the appropriate licenses
• the certification program and
• localized training.

One could dispense with the REACT certification program if the local Teams provided all of the same coverage in their training. However there are many Teams without any formal training program and this certification program provides a level of understanding, consistent across the nation. The REACT certification was never designed to replace local training. These two programs are complementary and neither will function as effectively by themselves as the two, working together.

REACT International, Inc., thanks the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the many ARRL volunteers who contributed to the ARRL Emergency Communications Certification Program as well as REACT members and others in the emergency management and emergency response community who have helped with our adaptation of the ARRL program to meet the needs of REACT as a multi- mode multi-service communications organization.

REACTers are patriotic, independent people and we are volunteers. There is an attitude among a few that, “Volunteers don’t have to take orders.” That is absolutely correct. We don’t have to take orders. But if you are not ready to follow instructions, you may want to do something outside of REACT and especially outside of emergency communications.

Here is a brief outline of what to expect from each of these documents:

1. Introduction
2. Communications
3. Nets: What They Are and How They Work
4. Basic Training: an Individual Check List
5. Experience and Training
6. ARES and RACES
7. The National Traffic System (NTS)
8. Equipment
9. Incident Command System
10. Emergency Call-Outs
11. Logging
12. Specialized Modes
13. Skywarn
14. ARRL Manuals
15. ARRL’s Do’s and Don’t’s for Public Service Communications
Appendix A – ARRL / NTS Message Handling Instructions
Appendix B – ARRL Numbered Radiograms
Appendix C – FEMA’s Independent Study Program
Appendix D – Sample REACT Form 133, Radio Log
Appendix E – Memorandums Of Understanding
Appendix F – Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms

For more information about the REACT Emergency Communications training and certification program write to:

REACT EComm Training
7001 Ethan Allen Way
Valley Station KY 40272-1305

or e-mail:

Testing and Certification Info

Course pricing as of March 2001, subject to change without notice. All prices in US $. All materials and testing available for anyone who wishes to take this course.

Course Study Materials	Cost
Download PDF files from REACT website	Free
On 3.5" floppy disks (IBM format), by mail	$4.00
On paper, by mail	$14.00
Optional Test Package for Certificate of Training
Individual exam booklet and answer sheet	$1.00
Regular first class mail (per booklet)	$1.00
Priority Mail (1 to 20 booklets)	$4.00
Certificate of Training	$2.00
Mailing, flat, regular mail (1 to 5 certificates)	$1.00
Mailing, flat, priority mail (1 to 50 certificates)	$4.00
Optional Certification Application Package
Individual exam booklet, answer sheet, and application forms	$2.00
Mailing, regular mail (per package)	$2.00
Priority Mail (1 to 10 packages)	$4.00
Certified Emergency Communicator package (Consists of one wall certificate, one laminated wallet card, and nine personalized REACT Certified Emergency Communicator business cards. Includes mailing by Priority Mail.)	$8.00