[FLARES] ICS Class, ICS Training Exercise

[Ron Wetjen]

On April 12th, Sarasota County ARES/RACES held an Incident Command I-200 
Training Class for it's members.  This intermediate ICS class, showed us 
what the various support groups are, and how they all fit together to 
make the ICS system work.

After a break, the participants were given their "assignments" for an 
ICS Training Exercise we would participate in on April 16th.  Those 
already familiar with ICS were partnered with the newer members, who had 
no ICS experience.  In addition to communications, some were given other 
non-communication assignments.  This "cross training" allows us to see 
how other parts of the ICS system operates ... something we wouldn't be 
able to experience during an actual event.

As the second part of this class, on April 16th, we took part in the 
"White Hawk Fire", which was staged at the "Carlton Reserve", in 
Sarasota County.  Amateurs arriving early, helped set up the Sarasota 
County Command Center, which would handle communications.  A recently 
erected Division of Forestry antenna on a 100' tower was used for 
communications on the DOF "Blue" Channel.  The amateur antenna on that 
tower was not yet installed, so a 30' portable mast and antenna was set 
up to cover the amateur frequencies.

The original plan, was to have a 1,000 acre prescribed burn, but weather 
conditions were unfavorable, so it was changed into a "mop up" operation 
on a burn that took place the day before.

After a briefing, the Amateurs met up with their Unit Leaders and began 
their various assignment, as the Firefighters and K9 Search & Rescue 
Teams deployed.

After about 3 hours, the participants were called in for a BBQ lunch of 
Burgers and Hot Dogs.  After a final briefing, participants were 
released, and the "drill" was complete.

As everyone left the site, IC-214 forms were collected, Training 
Certificates were handed out, and as a "bonus", everyone received a 
"heater meal" (an updated MRE)!

Organizations participation in this event, included:

Florida Division of Forestry
Sarasota County Emergency Management
Sarasota County ARES/RACES
Sarasota K9 Search & Rescue
South West Florida Management District

Amateurs participating in the training class and drill, included:

Jim, W8ISZ
Eddie, K4JP
Mark, KE4KMD
Burt, KI4HF
Dave, K9DAV
Al, N4LML
Roxena, W1ROX
Burt, KC4FVC
Al, WD4A
Bob, KI4FJT
Bob, KA4BOB
Dave, AE4MR
Joe, WA1VNP
Al, KF4JIL
Eric, KD4MZM
Allison, KE4OLL
Dennis, KI4DLD
Doug, KG4QCR
Ted, KI4HOK
Bill, KI4GLT
Jim, WB3KAW
Ron, WD4AHZ
(I may have missed one!)

73, Ron  WD4AHZ
Sarasota County EC
http://www.scemcomm.org

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