Communications Technician (COMT)

Event Date and Location Information:

Cedar Rapids - Central Fire Station

713 First Ave SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Dates & Time:  2-6 June 2025; 0800-1700 Daily

There is NO registration fee for this course

Lunch will be on your own each day 

Description:

This course provides introductory and refresher training for the NIMS ICS COMT position. It introduces public safety professionals and support staff to various communications concepts and technologies including interoperable communications solutions, LMR communications, satellite, telephone, data, and computer technologies used in incident response and planned events. It is designed for state/territory, tribal, urban, and local emergency response professionals and support personnel in all disciplines who have a technical communications background.
Participants develop the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the COMT in an all-hazards incident, including responsibilities while operating in a local, regional, or state-level All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT).
The course is instructor-led and supports learning through discussion, lecture, and hands-on exercises to explain processes used for establishment and operation of the technical communications resources for an incident or planned event. The course is five days and provides a realistic, hands-on approach to mastering the tasks and skills of a COMT. Course materials and the COMT Position Task Book will be provided to attendees via digital download prior to the course start date.

This five-day workshop is taught by instructors who have both practitioner and Communications Unit experience. This course is limited to 16 participants.

Personal experience:

• A public safety background with experience in field operations

• A technical communication background

• Awareness of fundamental public safety communications technology

• Basic knowledge of applicable Communications Plan

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

• Successful completion of the following of 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)

• Familiarity with the pre-course reading materials

Target Audience:

This course is designed for local, regional, tribal and state/territory emergency response professionals and support personnel in all disciplines who have a technical communications background.

The course includes a hands-on communications exercise and applicants can bring equipment to use during the exercise if they desire.

Registration: Applicants should submit scanned copies of an organizational chart or other documenation upon registering to verify their position.

Copies of prerequisite documentation which verify applicants have met the requirements and are eligible to participate in the course must be submitted for review by May 9, 2025.

Registration is not complete until all documentation has been received and verified. Admittance may be limited depending on room capacity. Final determination of student attendance will be announced by the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator.