COML: All Hazards Communications Unit Leader (COML)

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency

205 S Main Street

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

April 1-4, 2025  8:00AM – 5:00PM daily

There is NO registration fee for this course

Registration for COML is a 2-step process.  Make sure to register with an email address you will monitor regularly.  There will be a second online registration requirement once your eligibility has been confirmed by the SWIC.

Description:The Communications Unit Leader (COML) is a position under the Logistics Section of the Incident Command System (ICS). The COML’s responsibilities include communications operability and interoperability by developing plans for the effective use of incident communications equipment and facilities, publication of the ICS 205 Incident Radio Communications Plan, managing the distribution of communications equipment to incident personnel, and coordinating the installation and testing of communications equipment. The COML will supervise other members of the Communications Unit such as the Communications Technician (COMT), Radio Operator (RADO), and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM), if those positions are filled during an incident.

The course is taught by instructors who are an experienced COML with extensive operational experience, and is four days long. You will be provided a position task book (PTB) and hands on exercises for attendees.

Target Audience:  

The COML class is targeted for all local, regional, state and federal cross disciplinary emergency response professionals and coordination/support personnel with a communication background.

Prerequisites: To attend this course, applicants must have the following prerequisites:

• A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations.
• Fundamental public safety communications technology, supervisory, and personnel management skills.
• Knowledge of local communications and communications system, frequencies and spectrum, technologies, local topography, system site locations including knowledge of local, regional, and state communication plans, and communications and resource contacts.Successful completion of the following FEMA independent study (IS) training courses:

  • IS-100, Introduction to the ICS (https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c)

  • IS-200, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c)

  • IS-700, National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction (https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b)

  • IS-800, National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction (https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.d)

  • ICS-300 

    Completion of the following FEMA courses is recommended, but not required:
    • ICS-400 

• If an applicant has taken a previous version of these courses, the applicant may find it advantageous to take the updated IS course.

Copies of prerequisite documentation which verify applicants have met the prerequisites and are eligible to participate in the course must be submitted for review by March 10, 2025.

Registration is not complete until all documentation has been received and verified. Admittance is limited to 30 qualified applicants. 

If overnight stays are necessary, a list of hotels offering government rates can be found at https://das.iowa.gov/procurement/agencies/hotel-motel-and-bb-listing.  You may be required to verify lodging be certified through the office to combat human trafficking and can do that at this link: https://stophtiowa.org/certified-locations.

Meals will be on your own - you will be given approximately 1 hour for lunch each day.

 

For any questions about this form or registration process please contact Haley Nichols Statewide Interoperability Coordinator at nichols@dps.state.ia.us