All-Hazards Communications Unit (COMU)
| NEW! Read Steve Skinner's on-the-scene account of what it's like to serve as the COML on the state IMAT team deployment to New York in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. |
The ability of responders to work together across agencies during emergency incidents of all types depends heavily on their ability to communicate. Th os e communications must follow a well-regulated command structure that establishes roles, responsibilities, and well-understood mechanisms for managing the complexity of the multiagenc y response. The mission of the State of Indiana ICS Communications Unit program is to provide personnel trained in the roles and responsibilities of ICS Communications Unit positions for deployment to disasters or planned events. IPSC-sponsored programs include Communications Leader (COML) training, Communications Technician (COMT) training, and Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) training.
Steps to Become a Communications Leader
1. Complete all necessary training, including IS 100, 200, 700, 800, 802, ICS 300 and E/L-969 (All Hazards Communication Unit Leader Course).2. Request a Position Task Book (PTB) from Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Field Services Division. The PTB contains 27 critical tasks a COML applicant must complete to demonstrate job proficiency.
- To request a Position Task Book, email rcollins@dhs.in.gov.
- A copy of the task book, for reference only, is available here .
- A copy of the COML Application Toolkit is available here.
- Alternately, you may request historical recognition, but the requirements for such recognition are stringent. The guidelines are listed in Appendix E, Historical Recognition of Qualified Evaluators in the Indiana COML Position Qualification Guidelines.
4. Approval: The COML review committee will review the candidate's submitted materials to confirm that the candidate has met all prerequisites, completed training and completed a taskbook as specified above.
