These training resources have moved to Google Classroom. To join the classroom use the Registration link below.
Hamilton County ARES / ACS supports the Southeast Tennessee Healthcare Coalition through support and training of volunteer radio operators.
The training format is self-study, but there will also be some in person meetings set up on an as needed basis.
Organization context: Southeast Tennessee healthcare coalition / AuxComm training and operations’
Use: Student manual, reference guide, and coalition program support document.
Alignment: ICS / NIMS concepts, healthcare emergency management, HIPAA-aware radio practices.
Status: Training and planning resource · Not official FEMA, CISA, HHS, or ARRL guidance.
Purpose: This manual provides a compact, coalition-oriented framework for training and deploying healthcare-focused AuxComm operators. It is written to support student instruction, operational preparation, and exercise execution across hospitals, emergency management partners, and coalition communications volunteers.
Scope: Content addresses radio operations, healthcare nets, ICS / HICS integration, HIPAA-aware communications discipline, Winlink-based formal messaging, multi-day sustainment, interoperability awareness, and exercise participation.
Primary Audience
• New and developing auxiliary communicators supporting healthcare missions
• Healthcare coalition leaders and emergency preparedness staff
• ARES® / AuxComm volunteers needing a healthcare-specific operational reference
The Southeast Tennessee Healthcare Coalition volunteer radio training plan is a structured, multi-phase program that develops a new or inexperienced communicator into a mission-ready Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) operator supporting healthcare and emergency management.
Phase 1 establishes foundational competencies—radio basics, programming, simplex and repeater operations, and disciplined voice procedures.
Phase 2 builds operational capability, introducing net participation, message handling, and integration with ICS/HICS workflows, including proper use of standardized forms and terminology.
Phase 3 advances technical proficiency through digital communications, with emphasis on Winlink messaging, tactical addressing, and resilient communications methods (radio-only, hybrid, and P2P).
Phase 4 focuses on sustained operations in a healthcare context, including HIPAA-conscious communications, multi-operational period logging (ICS-213/214/309), and coordination with hospitals, EOCs, and coalition partners.
Phase 5 culminates in exercises and real-world simulation, validating the operator’s ability to function within an organized incident structure while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and information security.
Phase 6 incorporates drills and exercises to reinforce the training.
Collectively, this training ensures volunteers can deliver reliable, interoperable communications during outages or disasters—directly supporting patient care continuity, situational awareness, and coordinated response across the regional healthcare system.
Training material download links are below.