This system was developed at the national level to create a catalog of resource typing definitions providing emergency managers with the information they need to request and receive the resources they need during an incident, emergency or disaster.

Of the eight groups representing key functional disciplines in the resource typing system, amateur radio communications most likely fits in the Emergency Management Resources group. It is unlikely that Amateur Radio will become a "Tier 1" resource, but with our encouragement it can become a viable, typed local or "Tier 2" deployable resource meeting NIMS resource requirements.

Public Service Event amateur radio coordinators and Ecom group managers will also find this works for event, incident and mutual aid staffing and provides training in resource ordering and assignments.

The change from "Communications Resource Types" to "Communication Resource Functions" or CRF was presented recently in a presentation at Ham-Com. This is due to the fact that the NIMS calssifications use Type to describe a measure of minimum capability to perform that function (with a Type I implying a higher capability than a Type II) rather than function. This change is in the naming and does not affect the function descriptions and equipment lists for each, but aids in putting together Typed Response Individuals and Teams. Click here to review the power point presentation presenting the change and CRF Equipment Guide to download the reveised Equipment Guide.

This document is a great resource tool for any Public Service event or Ecom mutual aid incident in staffing and assignments of amateur radio communicators. Download Guide - PDF

A Check List to determine your CRF is here.

The development of Public Service Communicator Resource Types began as a way to associate radio amateurs volunteering for public service events to communications functions based on equipment the amateur possessed. In the early days (1996) we used the term "Modes" rather than "Types." The guide has currently been enhanced with details for digital equipment and their types (thanks to N5OOM). The basic equipment types used here match up with the Dallas RACES/ARES groups use of the Staging Area intake card affectionally referred to as the "BLMRS" card (developed by AA5QX). For Collin County ARES it's the "T" card. There are reports of other amateur radio groups around the United States using this guide.

Communications Resource Types Equipment Check List - (Download PDF) This is a handy check sheet that can be used to quickly determine your resource type. A good use is at staging areas during intake when new volunteers show up.

This version is still being refined.

Garland RACES/ARES Informaton - 8/15/2006