Welcome to Spokane County ARES-RACES!
Thank you for submitting your applications to join Spokane County ARES-RACES. We’re excited you’ve joined us to make the Spokane area better able to deal with emergencies and disasters of all types.
Now that you’ve submitted both applications, what happens next? To fully realize membership, you’ll need to complete a few training requirements and pass the county’s background check and six-month activity period. After you have passed your background check, the county will assign you a volunteer number and you are eligible for limited participation. With a number assigned, you’ll be notified of the next scheduled training.
In the meantime, we encourage you to become active in attending meetings and trainings as well as participating in exercises and the weekly net.
Our monthly meeting is held the third Thursday of each month at 1900hrs local time. We are currently meeting at the Spokane County DEM building at 1121 W. Gardner in Spokane. Stay tuned to Groups.io for information on meetings and upcoming events.
The weekly net is held on the ARES-RACES repeater, W7GBU, at 147.300 with a +600 khz offset and a 100 hz tone each Tuesday night at 2000hrs local time.
Live trainings and exercises are announced on the net and at the meetings.
Training requirements include:
(For all the FEMA courses, click on the link, scroll down, and click on “Take this Course” “Interactive Web Based Course”)
FEMA IC-100.C Introduction to Incident Command System
This is an online training available at
http://www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c
FEMA IC-700.B National Incident Command System (NIMS)
Also an online training available at
http://www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
NOTE: The IC-100.C, IC-700.B, training must be completed along with your background check and six-month activity period before you’ll be issued a county volunteer ID card.
Optional - Defensive Driving
This is a four hour course offered quarterly by Spokane County. This is a required course for anyone called on to drive county vehicles. If a member won't be called on to drive county vehicles, this requirement is then optional.
Optional - Blood Borne Pathogens
This is an important training for our public event work. It’s available online at
http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/trainingprevention/online/courseinfo.asp?P_ID=200
Optional - SKYWARN training
We coordinate with the National Weather Service for weather related incidents. This is a webinar training done by the NWS; dates and times will be announced.
Helicopter Safety Training
In responding to emergencies and disasters we may often be working around helicopters. This training is available through the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office; dates and times will be announced.
If you wish to become part of the Hospital Team, HIPAA training is also required. It is available online with registration. Details will be sent to those wishing to be part of the Hospital Team
Recommended training:
IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
This is online training available at
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.b
IS-800.C National Response Framework, An Introduction
Also available online at
https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c
Here is a link to the FEMA Training home page where you can find any of the FEMA courses
https://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED (Pediatric optional)
This training is available for $10 through GSEM. Dates and times will be announced.
Red Cross Disaster Service and Shelter Fundamentals
These are both periodically offered by the Red Cross. Dates and times will be announced.
As you complete your training, e-mail a copy of your certificates to WA7AQH. You may contact WA7AQH using the Contact Form for more instructions.
We highly recommend you keep copies of all your training certificates.
If you have any questions, please, feel free to contact Dave Carleton, AEC for training, K7DSR using the Contact Form.
Again, welcome to Spokane County ARES-RACES
Asa Jay Laughton
Spokane County Emergency Coordinator and RACES Officer