The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a final version (March 2023) of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Functional Guidance. The guidance, which provides a framework for communications resources within incident management, officially includes support from amateur radio operators. The expanded Communications Unit (COMU) structure now includes the Auxiliary Communicator (AUXC) role.*
AUXC is an official ICS position. To become a fully credentialed AUXC, individuals must attend an AUXCOMM course and complete the Position Task Book. Prerequisites for course attendance include an active FCC amateur radio license and experience in auxiliary communications, as well as completion of the latest version of the IS-100,200,700,800 online courses. So, although some descriptions of AUXCOMM mention other services such as FRS or GMRS, the actual credentialed position requires an amateur radio license. I believe this illustrates that at the highest level, trained and qualified amateur radio operators are considered a valuable emergency communications resource.
NIMS guides government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to work together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies. “This is a major step in the recognition of the need and usefulness of amateur radio and other communications services in our national preparedness,” said Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management for ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®. “It also gives official guidance to pave the way for future training and education of volunteers in ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®),” Johnston added.*
The NIMS ICT guide (PDF) is available at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ict-functional-guidance.pdf.*
*Info from Barry Porter, KB1PA via sec-emcomm.groups.io