January 2025

DEC Bulletin

The EPCARES will be requiring its ARES® communicators to obtain and complete the tasks in the ARRL Position Task Book.

 (The following is taken from the ARRL Basic EMCOMM Module 1 Topic 5 material.)  “The ARRL Position Task Book (PTB) is a working document that enables ARES® communicators electing to participate in the ARRL training plan to track and document their training elements as they are completed toward the various levels of increasing proficiency.

You are encouraged to utilize the PTB to document the performance criteria in the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Leadership Academies. The performance criteria are associated with core ARES® competencies, behaviors, and tasks.

The PTB should contain all training plan items, completion dates, and signoffs as the ARES® communicator advances through the various skill levels. The ARES® communicator is responsible for maintaining his or her PTB and having it with them during training and assignments. The PTB also contains sections with definitions of the communicator levels, as well as common responsibilities.

Recommendations of minimum proficiencies and skills per level are listed. ECs can add or substitute skills considered important to meet the needs of the partner agencies at their discretion. Prior experience may be substituted for some listed tasks. It is suggested that items in the proficiency/skills section be used in training sessions or for meeting/event presentations.”

(editor’s note) It is understood that simply completing the Basic EMCOMM course does not make the ARES® communicator deployable. He or she should complete the Intermediate, or advanced portion of the training plan.

Items listed in the proficiency/skill part of the task book can be used for meetings. The group can complete the tasks in a group setting. 

The WTX Section Emergency Coordinator will be maintaining a database of the people in the section who is participating in the PTB plan. 

Send me an email and I will send you back a copy of the ARRL Position Task Book we are using.

The terms ARES® and Amateur Radio Emergency Service® is both registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League, Inc. and are used by permission.

Questions and comments are always welcome and encouraged. Send an email to the address shown below.

Lew, KB5HPT

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

DEC, District 6, WTX Section

Tactical Address: TXEPCARESDEC

TX RACES: DRO-08A

Email: ldmax12@yahoo.com