There is a revised job announcement for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management posted below. Application deadline for this position is November 11, 2014 at 5 p.m.
Showing posts with label communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label communications. Show all posts
Understanding Social Media and Using it to Your Advantage Presentation
The DHSEM Communications Specialist presented today at the Safe School Summit. View the Understanding Social Media and Using it to Your Advantage.
VHF/UHF Narrow-Band Requirements
Requirements
By January 1, 2013, all radios operating below 512 MHz. will
be required to move to narrow-band operation. This impacts all Public Safety
service radio systems not already on narrow band channels. It is not too late to begin planning and
budgeting for this, as it will require changing out your radios for ones that
are capable of narrow band operation.
FCC Actions
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), reacting to the
crowding of the radio spectrum, studied various methods to help alleviate the
over-crowding on the radio bands. With
the increase of personal communications devices – from baby monitors to cell
phones – there had been a veritable explosion of use of radio frequencies. The FCC came up with the plan of “splitting”
each current wide-band 25 kHz channel into two 12.5 kHz channels. Thus, we have more radio spectrum for use,
but everyone has to buy new equipment if their current radios cannot use
narrow-band frequencies.
Radio Licenses
Radio licenses will need to be re-licensed for narrow-band
frequencies, and agencies will not be able to “grandfather” their use of
wide-band channels. If you don’t
re-license, you will probably loose your frequency to someone else and incur
additional expense in re-programming all your radio gear to the new narrow-band
frequency allocated to you by the FCC.
In planning/budgeting for this, you should consider radio
equipment that can use your current wide-band channels and be programmed for
the new narrow-band use when you get re-licensed. That way, you can stagger your purchases and
not have new radios sitting in the closet waiting for the new license and
change-over to the narrow-band frequency.
All agencies will not be moving at the same time, and the
new inter-operable UHF/VHF frequencies will co-exist with the old wide-band
channels until 1-1-2013.
Recommendations
What we recommend is to program your new radios with both
the “old” wide-band FERN, NLEEC, HEAR,
and SAR channels in one bank or group on the radio, and then program in the
“new” narrow-band inter-operable channels VLAW, VFIRE, VTAC, etc., into another
bank or group. Hopefully, your new
radios will have a display of a channel name and not just a channel
number. That way, when someone says “Go
to FERN 1” you just go to the display for “FERN 1”. If the channel to be used is “VFIRE 21”, just
go to where it displays “VFIRE 21”. That
way there is no confusion of whether the channel to be used is wide or narrow-band.
The “old” names – FERN, NLEEC, HEAR, etc. – will not
be used when the new narrow-band channels are used. Instead, we will use the new National Public
Safety Telecommunications Council channel naming convention – VCALL 10, VTAC
11-14, VFIRE 21-26, VLAW 31-32, VMED 28-29 etc.
For more information on the VHF/UHF narrow-band requirements contact Jack Cobb, DEM Communications Manager, at Jack.Cobb@state.co.us.
Download a copy this VHF/UHF Narrow-Band Requirements article.
Request for Bids: Communications Plan
Emergency Communications Plan
SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBE,
RISK AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s (SUIT) Risk and Emergency Management Division requests a written response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a hard bid proposal contract.
The proposed project is to develop a communication plan for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. The plan will meet the most current Colorado’s Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) and National Incident Management System (NIMS). The Communications Plan will include 800 MHz, VHF and cell phones used by first responders on the reservation.
The plan must include the following four components:
1. Gap Analysis;
2. Develop Southern Ute Indian Tribe Communications Plan;
3. Protocols and Assessments and;
4. Tabletop Exercise.
The contractor will facilitate the planning process, identify the data requirements, conduct research, develop Communications Plan, produce the draft and final plan document and conduct meetings after each deliverable to receive feedback.
Sealed bids will be received to address items identified in the scope of work for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Reservation-Wide Emergency Communications Plan, Ignacio, Colorado until 5:00 p.m. (MST) Monday, November 28, 2011. Bids received after this time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. Request for Bids may be picked up at the Tribal Human Resources Department, 356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, Colorado, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Please contact Human Resources at 970-563-0100 , ext. 2424 to make arrangements for pick up or email Ms. Kathi Gurule at kgurule@southern-ute.nsn.us with your request.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s TERO code has established a preference for contracting and subcontracting to certified Indian owned businesses. A bid preference of 5% will be given to any qualified Native American owned company. To receive this preference, Native American owned businesses must be certified by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s TERO. Any Native American owned business not certified by the due date will not be given a preference. For information on certification, contact the TERO office at 970-563-0117. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informality in bids and to accept the bid deemed, in the opinion of the Tribe, to be in the best interest of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
All-Hazard Communications Unit Leader Course (L-969)
This course helps attendees establish the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the Communications Unit Leader in an all-hazards incident. This course addresses all responsibilities appropriate to a Communications Unit Leader operating in a local or state level All Hazards 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 a Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team.
The course is an instructor led training that supports learning through discussion, lecture, and active participation in multiple exercises. The class is tailored to anyone who is a communications professional, whether inside or outside a dispatch center including techs, supervisory dispatchers, first responders, even sharp, approved amateur radio folks with direct responsibilities for public safety communications response.
Prerequisites
ICS100, ICS200, NIMS700, NRF800, and ICS300
Recommendeded
ICS400
Registration
co.train.org Course ID: 1030364
When: December 12-15 , 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: St. Pat’s (basement)
601 Raton
La Junta, CO 81050
Download training flyer.
These responsibilities include the collection, processing and dissemination as needed to facilitate Operations of Command, General Staff, and Unit Leaders within the confines of a Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team.
The course is an instructor led training that supports learning through discussion, lecture, and active participation in multiple exercises. The class is tailored to anyone who is a communications professional, whether inside or outside a dispatch center including techs, supervisory dispatchers, first responders, even sharp, approved amateur radio folks with direct responsibilities for public safety communications response.
Prerequisites
ICS100, ICS200, NIMS700, NRF800, and ICS300
Recommendeded
ICS400
Registration
co.train.org Course ID: 1030364
When: December 12-15 , 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: St. Pat’s (basement)
601 Raton
La Junta, CO 81050
Download training flyer.
DEM Training Registration and Tracking Moving to CO.TRAIN
The biggest advantage will be the calendar function, which allows statewide visibility of training activities across Departments, agencies and subject matter criterion. Rather than having to search for emergency management, health preparedness and homeland security classes on multiple websites, nearly all state emergency management-related agencies will be using CO.TRAIN. Another function is the ability for students to input information on previous classes and to start to consolidate their training records in one place. Of course, all this will not happen overnight but we have begun the work. If you have questions at any time during this transition phase, contact Robyn at robyn.knappe@state.co.us.
Starting with the class Incident Command System (ICS) class in Montrose, “Situation Unit Leader” Sept. 27, 2010, DEM is starting the registration for all future classes through CO.TRAIN. We will continue to make training information, news and announcements available on COEmergency's Training Page, which includes the DEM Training News Feed.
What does this mean for me?
If you do not have a CO.TRAIN account, you will need to spend 10 minutes creating a profile and password. The nice thing is that you only create the profile once. And the password, is a self-regulating system, so if you forget your password, you can get on the site and change it without administrator assistance (most of the time, anyway).
What is CO.TRAIN system?
It is a training management system with easy to use features and efficient processes. You sign up once at the co.train.org website and you can easily register for classes. There is a super calendar and a course search function.
Where did it come from?
The TRAIN system is a free service of the Public Health Foundation, www.train.org is part of the newly expanded TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate Integrated Network (TRAIN). CO stands for Colorado in the CO.TRAIN acronym. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been using the system since 2004 and has offered it to other departments as a no fee service to state agencies.
Who else is using it?
Many other states have adopted the site for registering for public health classes and some have adopted it for all-hazards emergency/disaster training management. For example: the State of Kansas (KS TRAIN)and Utah (UT TRAIN) utilize the all hazards approach and use the TRAIN system for most all emergency management, ICS and homeland security classes.
What are some enhancements in the CO.TRAIN features over the old DEM system?
For example, you can print past certificates for yourself if you lose a certificate. The biggest enhancement is the super calendar which will show all classes. There are also automated function for building class rosters and notifications. As a course administrator, all the students registered in a class can be sent an email with the click of a button. You can also make a training plan for yourself in the system. In the future, DEM will highlight some of the features in future training activity updates on COEmergency.com.
What are the challenges?
DEM will have to hand key input for past student training records. We are not certain how long this will take nor how far back our records will go. We are trying to evaluate this now so stay tuned.
Future enhancements
The Governors Office of Homeland Security (GOHS) will be making some upgrades to the system some time in 2011 to upgrade to the calendar function so that courses may be classified by region and sponsor rather than by discipline code. GOHS courses cross so many disciplines that to use those codes no longer provides us with an accurate view of courses throughout the state. GOHS is already using the web based CO.TRAIN system.
Thank you for your patience as we move to the CO.TRAIN system. For more information, please email robyn.knappe@state.co.us or call (720)852-6617. Or for more technical issues with the CO.TRAIN site, contact Greg Schlosser at cdphe.co.train@state.co.us or at (303)692-2683.
Durango Herald News - Weather wise
Interesting piece from today's (Aug 26, 2010) Durango Herald News, titled "Weather wise" on the effort to shore up the weather radar 'black hole" suspected to exist by weather patterns developing below the existing radar sight lines in the Four Corners region. The study will also evaluate the annual monsoon rains in Southwest Colorado. The ultimate goal of the project is to seek a permanent fix to help communities better understand weather activity in the Four Corners region.
Course Announcement - All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader - Nov 30-Dec 1 - Pueblo West, CO
The next All-Hazards COML course (flyer), sponsored by the San Luis Valley, South and Southeast Homeland Security Regions, will be November 30 – December 2, 2010 at the Pueblo West Fire Department Station 3 from 8:00 – 5:00 each day. Please complete the attached Course Application and submit it by not later than November 1st. Please fax this application to Mark Hall at (303) 972-4903 or via email at mhall@fairmountfire.org. If you have any questions, please call him at (303) 972-4902.
Type III COML Course Pre-Qualifications:
A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; this experience should be validated by the authority who supervised the student.
Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills. These must be validated by the authority who supervised the student and include, but are not limited to:
Completion of the following training courses (prior to attending):
IS-700, IS-800b
IS-700 explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course also contains “Planning Activity” screens, allowing participants to complete planning tasks during the course.
IS-800b introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.
ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300
ICS-100 introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of ICS. It also explains the relationship between the ICS and NIMS. Course taken on line are considered an equivalent to the classroom version.
ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Classroom version preferred.
ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System.
Type III COML Course Pre-Qualifications:
A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; this experience should be validated by the authority who supervised the student.
Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills. These must be validated by the authority who supervised the student and include, but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of local communications systems, including frequencies and spectrum
- Knowledge of and experience with available communications technologies
- Knowledge of local topography
- Knowledge of system site locations
- Knowledge of local, regional, and state communications plans
- Knowledge of local and regional Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans, if available
- Knowledge of local, regional and national communications and resource contacts
Completion of the following training courses (prior to attending):
IS-700, IS-800b
IS-700 explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course also contains “Planning Activity” screens, allowing participants to complete planning tasks during the course.
IS-800b introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.
ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300
ICS-100 introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of ICS. It also explains the relationship between the ICS and NIMS. Course taken on line are considered an equivalent to the classroom version.
ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Classroom version preferred.
ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System.
Colorado Instructor Historical Recognition Program
The State of Colorado All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Historical Recognition working group is looking to recruit and recognize qualified instructors to add to the State and National Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) instructor cadre.
Federal training criteria was established and went into effect on September 14, 2009 and is only allowable until September 30, 2010. This program allows for instructor historical information to be reviewed ensuring all aspects of the instructor quality are being evaluated. As a result of the Federal training requirements, the State of Colorado developed the All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Historical Recognition Working Group. The main focus of this work group it to evaluate the historical documentation, training, qualifications, experience and instructor skill sets, for applicants who are interested in teaching the FEMA All Hazards ICS Position Specific classes within the state of Colorado. There are two levels of instruction; Lead Instructor and Support/Unit Leader.
Incident Command System (ICS) Position-Specific (PS) training is designed to provide all-hazards competencies and behaviors for the eight Command and General Staff positions and select unit leader positions. The competencies, and experience in the training, for which the instructor will be reviewed, are focused around the ability of the instructor to relay to the student the position responsibilities, ability to lead assigned personnel, communicate effectively, and to ensure the completion of assigned tasks to meet identified objectives for the position.
The State of Colorado All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Historical Recognition Working Group will evaluate the instructor historical documentation in concert with State Training Officer for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management. and make decisions on the quality and ability to represent the State of Colorado.
All-Hazard Incident Commander (L-951)
All-Hazards Public Information Office (L-953)
All-Hazards Safety Officer (L-957)
All-Hazards Operations Section Chief (L-958)
Division/Group Supervisor
All-Hazards Planning Section Chief (L-962)
-Situation Unit Leader
-Resource Unit Leader
All-Hazards Logistics Section Chief (L-963)
-Supply Unit Leader
-Facilities Unit Leader
-Communications Leader
All-Hazards Finance/Administration (L-974)
-Finance/Admin Unit Leader
All-Hazards Liaison Officer (L-956)
Instructors interested in completing the Historical Recognition documentation packet should contact the State of Colorado Training Coordinator Robyn Knappe at robyn.knappe@state.co.us
Federal training criteria was established and went into effect on September 14, 2009 and is only allowable until September 30, 2010. This program allows for instructor historical information to be reviewed ensuring all aspects of the instructor quality are being evaluated. As a result of the Federal training requirements, the State of Colorado developed the All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Historical Recognition Working Group. The main focus of this work group it to evaluate the historical documentation, training, qualifications, experience and instructor skill sets, for applicants who are interested in teaching the FEMA All Hazards ICS Position Specific classes within the state of Colorado. There are two levels of instruction; Lead Instructor and Support/Unit Leader.
Incident Command System (ICS) Position-Specific (PS) training is designed to provide all-hazards competencies and behaviors for the eight Command and General Staff positions and select unit leader positions. The competencies, and experience in the training, for which the instructor will be reviewed, are focused around the ability of the instructor to relay to the student the position responsibilities, ability to lead assigned personnel, communicate effectively, and to ensure the completion of assigned tasks to meet identified objectives for the position.
The State of Colorado All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Historical Recognition Working Group will evaluate the instructor historical documentation in concert with State Training Officer for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management. and make decisions on the quality and ability to represent the State of Colorado.
All-Hazard Incident Commander (L-951)
All-Hazards Public Information Office (L-953)
All-Hazards Safety Officer (L-957)
All-Hazards Operations Section Chief (L-958)
Division/Group Supervisor
All-Hazards Planning Section Chief (L-962)
-Situation Unit Leader
-Resource Unit Leader
All-Hazards Logistics Section Chief (L-963)
-Supply Unit Leader
-Facilities Unit Leader
-Communications Leader
All-Hazards Finance/Administration (L-974)
-Finance/Admin Unit Leader
All-Hazards Liaison Officer (L-956)
Instructors interested in completing the Historical Recognition documentation packet should contact the State of Colorado Training Coordinator Robyn Knappe at robyn.knappe@state.co.us
Dispatcher-Focused Session - All-Hazards Communications Leader Course - 10/25-27 - Centennial, CO
The class is specifically restricted to professionals who are currently staffing a public safety dispatch center. The class will be tailored to help everyone down to the line dispatcher to improve their skills when managing fast growing, large incidents prior to the deployment of a field COML or incident management organization. The Lead instructor is Paul Smith, Executive Director for the Metropolitan Area Communications Center (METCOM).
Tuition for in-state attendees is covered under a homeland security grant. Out-of-state attendees will be charged a tuition of $300.
For any questions regarding the class, contact Mark Hall, Fairmount Fire, at (303) 972-4902 or at mhall@fairmountfire.org. For more information you can download the Type 3 All-Hazards Communications Leader (COML) Course Announcement - Dispatcher-Focused Session and you can register by completing the Denver COML Class Nomination Form and returning it to mhall@fairmountfire.org.
Course Announcement - All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader - Sep 13-16 - Weld County, CO
NOTE: As of 8/25, this class has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. When a revised date is set, we will post a new course announcement on COEmergency
The next All-Hazards COML course, sponsored by the North Central Region, will be September 13-16 at the Weld County EOC training room from 8:00 – 5:00 each day. This class has expanded from three days to four due to significant changes required by FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) requirements. This class is geared towards those professionals that have a responsibility for managing incident communications. Please complete the Course Nomination Form and submit it by not later than August 31st. Please contact Mark Hall at (303) 972-4902 or via email at mhall@fairmountfire.org.
Type III COML Course Pre-Qualifications:
A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; this experience should be validated by the authority who supervised the student.
Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills. These must be validated by the authority who supervised the student and include, but are not limited to:
Completion of the following training courses (prior to attending):
IS-700, IS-800b
IS-700 explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course also contains “Planning Activity” screens, allowing participants to complete planning tasks during the course.
IS-800b introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.
ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300
ICS-100 introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of ICS. It also explains the relationship between the ICS and NIMS. Course taken on line are considered an equivalent to the classroom version.
ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Classroom version preferred.
ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System.
The next All-Hazards COML course, sponsored by the North Central Region, will be September 13-16 at the Weld County EOC training room from 8:00 – 5:00 each day. This class has expanded from three days to four due to significant changes required by FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) requirements. This class is geared towards those professionals that have a responsibility for managing incident communications. Please complete the Course Nomination Form and submit it by not later than August 31st. Please contact Mark Hall at (303) 972-4902 or via email at mhall@fairmountfire.org.
Type III COML Course Pre-Qualifications:
A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; this experience should be validated by the authority who supervised the student.
Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills. These must be validated by the authority who supervised the student and include, but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of local communications systems, including frequencies and spectrum
- Knowledge of and experience with available communications technologies
- Knowledge of local topography
- Knowledge of system site locations
- Knowledge of local, regional, and state communications plans
- Knowledge of local and regional Tactical Interoperable Communications Plans, if available
- Knowledge of local, regional and national communications and resource contacts
Completion of the following training courses (prior to attending):
IS-700, IS-800b
IS-700 explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course also contains “Planning Activity” screens, allowing participants to complete planning tasks during the course.
IS-800b introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.
ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-300
ICS-100 introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of ICS. It also explains the relationship between the ICS and NIMS. Course taken on line are considered an equivalent to the classroom version.
ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Classroom version preferred.
ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System.
Secure Grid Exercise - Electrical Grid Presentation
After talking with our DEM Planner, Kerry Kimble, who attended the recent "Secure Grid" Table Top Exercise held in Colorado Springs, CO, I wanted to share an interesting presentation made during the exercise that provides some background on our power grid and associated issues. Why? Be it an earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, cyber attack or other hazard, power is essential to all phases of emergency management yet it is not something altogether clear as to what it really means that the light comes on when we hit the switch and the associated complexities of managing the grid.
After returning to DEM, Kerry shared this presentation and, after watching it, I asked to post it. I just think it is an interesting and informative approach to helping bridge that gap in understanding our energy grid so "Thanks" to both Kerry and Richard White for sharing!
Colorado Emergency Planning Commission - Meeting Agenda - July 14, 2010
MEETING AGENDA - July 14, 2010
1:00 PM Welcome and Introductions - Hans Kallam, Co-Chair; Greg Stasinos, Co-Chair
1:10 PM Approval of previous meeting minutes - Hans Kallam
1:15 PM Update from State Working Group - Ron Prater
1:25 PM Update on Legislative Issues - Tim Gablehouse
1:35 PM Rule Making– Tier2 submit, etc. (purpose & needs statement) - Tim Gablehouse
1:55 PM Annual LEPC Conference - September 8-10 - Jack Cobb
2:25 PM Break
2:40 PM Overview of Attorney General’s Office - Environmental Task Force - Troy Arnold
2:55 PM Future Initiatives: Sub-Committees/Workgroups – LEPC membership review, bylaws, webpage, LEPC outreach, contractor - Hans Kallam
3:30 PM LEPC Survey Review -Rose Lynch
3:50 PM Approval of LEPC members - Jack Cobb
4:00 PM Adjourn
Fore more on the CEPC, its mission and the meeting(s), see the June Announcement for the July 2010 CEPC Meeting or contact Jack.Cobb@state.co.us.
Pueblo County Sheriff's Office - 911 Call Request re: Medano Fire
For the latest regarding the Medano Fire adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, visit the fire update page by the National Park Service
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)