EMSI Releases a New Communications Unit Leader Job Aid

EMSI continues to provide emergency management performance support to responders through the development of Incident Command System (ICS) courses and job aids. We are proud to offer our new Communications Unit Leader (COML) job aid. This job aid was recently developed in consultation with government and industry subject matter experts to help define what roles and responsibilities were most required by this critical position based upon their experiences in response operations.

In today’s world of technology, the assignment of a Communication Unit Leader (COML) can be critical to a response effort’s success. If you can’t talk to those doing the mission, your response will be severely limited. The most common lesson learned in almost any after action report is that communications needed improvement. Providing oversight of the Communications Unit, the COML plans for and supports the effective use of incident communications equipment and facilities. All forms of communication (e.g., faxes, phones, cells, radio, VTC) are the responsibility of the Communications Unit. The COML is intimately responsible for developing plans, obtaining, distributing, and supporting operation of computer and radio incident communications equipment and the data management infrastructure to support information flow.

In addition to EMSI’s guidance on performing in the Operational Planning Process, this job aid offers several key checklists and reference sheets for the COML. Our new job aid covers a myriad of relevant topics for the COML, to include:

  • Roles and responsibilities of the Communications Unit
  • Initial Actions
  • Managing personnel and the Communications Unit
  • Staffing the Communications Unit
  • Developing a Communications Plan
  • Demobilization
  • Providing communications support for a planned event
  • Useful communications channels

Feel free to contact us regarding our exciting new products. You can order the COML job aid or any one of our other ICS job aids exclusively at IMTGear.com. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming course offerings, as well as continuing to evolve our products to meet your needs!