Amateur Radio Credentialing for Served Agencies

The Santa Clara County Amateur Radio Operator Credentialing Program provides two main benefits for Emergency Managers at the agency, local jurisdiction, and operational area level:

• Resource Typing
  • Available communications capabilities are defined by role and capability levels
  • Requests for amateur radio resources can be clearly made using the resource types
• Qualified Operators
  • Served agencies know that the resource they receive has the needed capabilities
  • Amateur radio operators know what capabilities are expected from them

In additional to technical credentials, agency- or role-specific endorsements identify individuals that have both the technical ability and the agency- or role-specific knowledge to handle unique assignments.  The requirements for each endorsement vary, but generally include additional agency- or role-specific training and experience.

Credentialing Program Overview Presentation

Credentials are defined according to two dimensions: operator role and level of capability

Roles:

• Field Operations
• Net Control
• Packet Operations
• Shadow Communications
• HF (work in progress)

• Type V
  • Not credentialed. Unknown capability.
  • Any licensed amateur radio operator that is also registered as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Type IV - Basic
  • Credentialed. Not role-specific.
  • Type V plus: Has basic communications skills and standard equipment. Able to perform basic field communications tasks, perhaps with some coaching.
  • Typical assignments: checkpoints, observation points, rover.
• Type III - Independent
  • Credentialed. Role-specific (Field, Net Control, Packet, Shadow, HF)
  • Type IV capabilities plus: Fully independent operator. Can perform all role-specific duties properly with low-to-medium traffic level and in low-to-medium complexity environments.
  • Typical assignments: hospitals, shelters, schools, smaller department operations centers.
• Type II - Advanced
  • Credentialed. Role-specific (Field, Net Control, Packet, Shadow, HF)
  • Type III capabilities plus: Can perform all role-specific duties properly with medium-to-high traffic levels and in higher complexity environments (multiple nets, more power, better antenna, more detailed knowledge required).
  • Typical assignments: larger department operations centers, team lead.
• Type I - Specialist
  • Credentialed. Role-specific (Field, Net Control, Packet, Shadow, HF)
  • Type II capabilities plus: Can plan, design, deploy and lead multi-operator, multi-net deployments.
  • Typical assignments: Unit Leader, primary point of contact.

Endorsements build on technical credentials to agency-specific requirements for unique operating environments

Currently defined endorsements:

• Mutual Aid Communicator (MAC)
  • Qualified to be deployed for mutual aid to any jurisdiction in the county/operational area
• County Fire Station Radio Operator
  • Qualified to operate at a county fire station when all fire personnel are out on calls
• County EOC Radio Operator
  • Qualified to operate at the county EOC
• County RACES Unit Leader
  • Qualified to serve as RACES Unit Leader at the county EOC

• Credentialing Program Details
  • This page contains the details of the credentialing program