Auxiliary Communications

About Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit

The Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit is a specialized incident and disaster response public safety unit made up of volunteers. The unit's primary mission is to support the DHSEM and the State Emergency Operations Center. Colorado Auxiiliary Communication may also act to support local jurisdictions and agencies through the state resource mobilization process. In addition to providing emergency communications, Colorado Auxiliary Communication works with our emergency communications agencies such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the American Red Cross and the Colorado National Guard to develop interoperability solutions and cooperative agreements. 

The unit is guided by the Colorado Auxiliary Emergency Communication Unit Administration Plan. This sets forth state expectations, procedures and guidelines for the administration, guidance, operation and support of the Auxiliary Communication Unit. The plan identifies the roles and responsibilities of the unit to provide amateur communication support to various levels of government and other served agencies during periods of local, regional, state or national emergencies. Adoption of the plan established guidelines to staff and train the unit under the Authority of the Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-705.5.
 

Volunteer Requirements and Application Process

Requirements

• Applicants to Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit must have a willingness to serve and be at least 18 years of age.

• Prior to application, the individual must have completed

  • FEMA's online Incident Command System courses IS 100.c, IS 200.c, IS 700.b, IS 800.d

  • COTrain Colorado Interoperability, Module 1, Module 2, Module 3 (Currently Suspended)

  • OPSEC Awareness for Military Members, DoD Employees and Contractors

• Prior to application members must have an Amateur Radio Operator license.

The Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit is a volunteer unit of DHSEM. In most cases, team members are able to easily manage work, life, and Colorado AuxComm commitments. However, emergencies and disasters know no time schedule. In times of emergency Colorado AuxComm members may be called upon to operate at night, on weekends, during normal business hours, and on holidays. Before applying to Colorado AuxComm, consider your availability and willingness to serve. Though a limited number of our members have administrative assignments that allow them to work from home, many Colorado AuxComm assignments required members to deploy to the field, potentially under rustic conditions.

The unit is seeking qualified volunteers who have a desire to serve the Colorado community with emergency communications capability in time of emergency. This volunteer unit was created to provide communications support to the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the State of Colorado.

The Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit is currently looking for volunteers with experience in, or the willingness to be trained, in one or more of the following fields of expertise:

• All Hazard Communications

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Communications

• Amateur Radio License General Class License or Higher

• Military Auxiliary Radio System

Additional communication roles are being developed and we are looking for people with diverse communications backgrounds and experiences that are willing to help develop and grow the organization.

Application Process

• Download, and following the instructions, complete the Colorado Auxiliary Communication Volunteer Service Agreement and Colorado Auxiliary Communication Application.
• Successfully pass a background check. Auxiliary Communication Fingerprinting Process
• Attend the Auxiliary Communications workshop.
• Members must attend annual team training and a minimum of one deployment per year.
• For questions, concerns, or assistance with the application process email the Colorado Auxiliary Communication Unit at AuxComm@state.co.us. 

Documents

Download and the documents below and submit to following the directions.

• Colorado Auxiliary Communication Volunteer Service Agreement
• Colorado Auxiliary Communication Application Form
• Colorado Auxiliary Communication Fingerprinting Process
• Auxiliary Communications Unit Administration Plan 2020

If you need an accessible or accommodated version of the 2020 administrative plan, please email micki.trost@state.co.us or complete this request form.