SDGARES Training
To actually contribute to the ARES mission of assisting in emergencies, you must get a prescribed set of training and be certified for a level of participation. You must be a licensed amateur to get certified. For info on getting a ham radio license see San Diego Amateur Radio Classes.
There are two main documents that you need to download to begin the ARES training regimen: (Downloads require membership and groups.io access)
- Individual Taskbook: this lists all the requirements for certification and is used to record your qualification progress. Download Taskbook
- ARES Comm Plan: Details of who the management staff are and nets/frequencies/procedures. Download SDGARES Comm Plan
You should print these documents out and keep them in a folder for ARES paperwork - there will be more, as you get trained.
The Taskbook lists the 4 skill levels of certification and the required tasks for each level:
- Level 1 - Hospital Team Member
- Level 2 - Hospital Team Leader
- Level 3 - Skills Master
- Level 4 - Away Team Member
You use the Taskbook document to identify what you need to do to get certified for each level. When you have completed a task, you need to get evaluated and signed off on that task by any EC (Emergency Coordinator), AEC (Assistant EC) or DEC (District EC). Contact info for these people is on page 2 through 5 of the Comm Plan document. You can meet these folks at most ARES meetings and events. You probably want to get to know the EC for your neighborhood.
Training Resources (note: Updated 10/2026)
(Downloads require membership and groups.io access)
- ARES 101 Slides (PDF)
- SDGARES You Tube Training Videos - 32 videos on related topics. Access via YouTube. A good one to start with is "About ARES, an intro to ARES for new members of San Diego (California) ARES, recorded 3-6-2021"
FEMA Independent Study - Online Courses Required for Certifications
- ICS-100 (IS-100.c): Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
- ICS-200 (IS-200.c): for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- ICS-300 and ICS-400 courses are no longer available in an online format. It requires instructor-led training (either in-person over roughly 3 days or via approved virtual distance learning.
- IC-700 (IS-700.b): An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- IS-800.d: National Response Framework, An Introduction - NOTE: AS of 10/2026, the webpage shows "IS-800.d Online Course is Temporarily Unavailable - students should download and review the National Response Framework and review the National Response Framework document. You may then take the IS-800.d online exam for a completion certificate"
- IS-909: Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone - not required for ARES but good to know!
ICS-213 Message Form
There are tutorials available to show how to properly use the ICS-213 form: (PDF) (Video via YouTube)
WinLink Information
WinLink is a system for exchanging email over the radio (and Internet, if that’s still available). It is a very important part of ARES activity. You need a computing device (laptop, tablet) and a radio. You need a special cable to connect the two. You can compose emails using official template forms that are commonly used in emergency services. It might be a time-consuming process to get your radio to work with WinLink software, so it’s a good idea to practice. ARES holds practice events periodically.
- WinLink Basics (Video via YouTube)
- Telnet Mode / Using WinLink on the Internet (Video via YouTube)
- FM (using WinLink on VHF (Video via YouTube)
- HF (using WinLink on HF Bands (Video via YouTube)
- H & W Radiogram (pdf)
- Earthquake Report (Video via YouTube)
Go-Bags / Go-Kits
When you are deployed on an emergency action, you will need to bring some gear with you. That gear may be kept ready in a Go-Kit. This PDF covers the basics, your Taskbook document has lists recommended by SD ARES. Some older information can be found in this PDF.
Servings as Net Control
One skill you will learn is how to function as net control a on a radio net. Here is a great resource from k7yca,org
Elective Courses from FEMA
Links to online courses and information on in-person courses:
- IS-120.c: An Introduction to Exercises
- IS-230.e: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- IS-235.c: Emergency Planning
- IS-240.c: Leadership and Influence
- IS-241.c: Decision Making and Problem Solving
- IS-242.c: Effective Communications
- IS-244.b: Developing and Managing Volunteers
- IS-288.a: The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
- IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions (formerly IS-775)
ARRL Training Courses / Resources
Some of these courses are only open to ARRL Members Only.
- Introduction to Emergency Communication (EC-001) (ARRL Members Only - $50)
- Intermediate EmComm, EC-016 (ARRL Members Only) by ARRL
- ARES Field Resources Manual by ARRL
- The ARRL Emergency Coordinator’s Manual by Steve Ewald, WV1X
Other Elective Courses
- PR-101 - Public Information Officer, EC-015
- COML All Hazards Communications Unit Leader
- AUXCOMM Course
- CERT Training