Join    ACS

What do I need to do to join Snohomish County ACS?

• Be a licensed amateur radio operator.

• Be able to pass a background check.

• Be approved by the Snohomish County Emergency Management Director and the Radio Officer.

• Complete the state required Incident Command System courses IS-100 and IS-700. The IS-200 course is recommended, but not required at this time.

These courses and tests are available on the Web at http://training.fema.gov/is/

• IS-700.b, National Incident Management System, An Introduction

• IS-100.c, Introduction to Incident Command System

• IS-200.c, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

After I join, what do I do?

• Respond!  Seriously consider showing up and helping around the county.  You have skills that are in demand in places you seldom think about.

• Help staff at an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), fire station, hospital, or medical clinic radio room.   Besides helping out, there may be other hams there to share stories and experiences.

• Help with the EOC OPS2 Net Tuesday morning at 09:30 or any of the various agency related weekly nets.  These are critical resources in our region.

• Helping around the county with communications will build critical skills that could save lives when the next disaster strikes.

• Check in on the Tuesday night net or even arrange to be the Net Control Station from time to time

  • 20:00 hrs., on the Granite Falls repeater at 146.920, - (minus) offset, and a PL Tone of 123.0

• Attend member meetings every third Thursday of the month at 19:00 hrs., held at the Department of Emergency Management Office located at 720 80th St. S.W.. Building A. Everett, WA 98203

• Volunteer and participate in ACS events and activities. These are excellent training opportunities and entertaining

• Keep your "Go Kit" ready and radio programmed and batteries charged. 

• Download and print a copy of the Activation Worksheet

• In the event of an emergency or disaster, check into the Resource Net on the Granite Falls Repeater for your assignment

Next Step - Take the ACES class

Regardless of how long you have been involved in amateur radio, there are skills that greatly enhance your ability to support emergency communications and build confidence.  This one course provides many of the down to earth skills everyone needs.    This course answers the questions you never thought to ask.  But after completing the course you realize it's immense value as a radio operator and just surviving a disaster with style.  For more information check out the ACES Course outline, Schedule and Details.