S-258, Incident Communications Technician, 2002

S-258 Decorative banner: Three photos of wildland fire telecommunications operations. Man sitting at table with multiple hard drives and a laptop in front of him. Two telecommunication fire specialists setting up radio antennas on the top of a mountain. Two communications techs sit behind laptops at a table.

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Description

This course is designed to provide the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks of an Incident Communications Technician (COMT) in the Incident Command System (ICS). Topics include installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of National Incident Radio Support Cache (NIRSC) communications equipment on incidents. The course consists of classroom instruction, field exercises, a written exam, and a practical final exam.

Objectives

  • Identify and describe the responsibilities of the COMT prior to, during mobilization, and demobilization.
  • Identify and explain basic communications theory, the capabilities of NIRSC specialty equipment and assist with installation, and hazards and risks on various incidents and how to mitigate them.
  • Recognize, plan for, and demonstrate the ability to provide adequate incident communications coverage.
  • Demonstrate proper installation of equipment, the ability to properly program NIRSC incident handheld radios, and the ability to accurately troubleshoot and field repair NIRSC equipment.

Target Group

Personnel desiring to be qualified as Incident Communications Technician (COMT).

Prerequisite Qualifications and Training

It is recommended that students have completed Basic ICS (ICS-200), Basic Fire Suppression Orientation (S-110), and have reviewed the Basic Aviation Safety Guide.

Session Offerings

Sessions of this course may be available in the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Enrollment requires an account. Log on as a guest to search for session offerings of this course and to view other public content. To search for a specific course, use the FIND LEARNING menu at the top of the page, then select UPCOMING COURSES. To view Geographic Area training schedules, select the specific GEOGRAPHIC AREA information using the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Contact your local Training Officer for more information about local course sessions.

 

Delivery

S-258 is available as classroom instructor-led training.

Course Components and Hours to Complete

Course Component Course Time
Pre-course work N/A
Pre-selection assessment N/A
Online training N/A
Instructor-led training 32
Total Hours 32

Course Level

Regional, state, or area

Minimum Instructor Qualifications

Lead instructor must be a qualified Communications Unit Leader (COML).

Unit instructors must be qualified as Incident Communications Technician (COMT).

See NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, Instructor Standards for more information.

 

Print Training Overview Page

 

 

Functional Area: 
Logistics
Primary Committee: 
Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: 
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2022-08-16

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