Communications Team: Team Development

Step 1. Reach out to local tech groups and radio clubs, like ham radio clubs, in your community. There might be some at your local high school or colleges. You might also find some through other organizations like Rotary Club. 

Step 2. Identify a Team Lead.

Step 3. Have volunteers take FEMA IS-100 (Incident Command System) and IS-700 (National Incident Management System) and pursue certification as needed in their communication technologies of interest.

Step 4. Identify all the locations where your community might need essential communications technology when a disaster hits. Include your community’s Emergency Operations Center, Disaster Hubs, and Community-Level centers, like the Disaster Medical Center, Severe Weather Shelters, the Child Reunification Center, and the Domestic Animal Care Shelter.

Step 5. Determine which communications technologies would best serve your community. Remember that part of the decision involves the interests of available volunteers. Identify all the additional equipment and supplies that will be needed.

Step 6. Create subteams around the different technologies identified. For example, you might have a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) subteam and a ham radio subteam. Identify team leads for the subteams.

Step 7. Fundraise or seek grants to be able to purchase the supplies or ask for donations of materials.

Step 8. Work to equip all of the identified locations with the right communications technology for a disaster scenario, including backups and power sources and additional supplies.

Step 9. Try to get communication technology–specific training for community members since they can help their streets and neighborhoods with communication.

Step 10. Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Communications Team and its subteams.

Step 11. Create an annual plan for the teams and carry out the objectives.

Step 12. Provide annual exercises and training for volunteers.