PLEMENTATION PLAN 

March 2006 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Office of Grants and Training 

Communications Unit Leader 

Core Competencies 
2

Introduction 

The attached table is intended to identify the critical task/skill-related competencies required by an 

Incident Command System (ICS) Communications Unit Leader (COML). 

This table is derived from a long-standing document The Task Book for the Position of 

Communications Unit Leader developed by the National Wildfire Coordination Group1

 (NWCG) as 

part of certification and training materials for use within the National Interagency Incident 

Management System (NIIMS), a predecessor to today’s National Incident Management System 

(NIMS). In developing the table, specific references to the fire service were removed, and text was 

added to describe additional generic competencies needed for a multi-service COML position. 

As with other ICS position task definitions, COML responsibilities cover the range of duties of 

subordinate positions within the unit, unless delegated. While this range of duties implies 

competencies across managerial, planning, technical, and operational realms, in incidents of more than 

a few dozen responders, the Communications Unit would be comprised of other staff in addition to the 

COML – typically radio operators and communications technicians. The responsibility for critical 

Communications Unit tasks falls with the COML even though they may be carried out by other, 

specifically trained unit staff.

The COML must have a good working knowledge of the Multi-agency Coordination System 

applicable to the region. A multi-agency coordination system is a combination of facilities, equipment, 

personnel, procedures, and communications. These components are integrated into a common system 

with responsibility for coordinating and supporting incident management activities. The COML in the 

ICS must have a good working knowledge of the entire system to include dispatch centers, emergency 

operations centers, department operations centers, resource coordination centers, and other multiagency coordination entities activated during a crisis. A good working knowledge of the technical 

aspects of communications equipment deployment, including system design, radio frequency (RF) 

coverage, interference and spectrum management issues and procedures is equally important. 

Structure

The Core Competencies Table on the following pages is composed of two columns. The left column 

contains the Task/Skills, modified as appropriate, from the NWCG Task Book. The right column 

contains the competency coordination, management, operations and/or technical competencies 

requirements needed to perform the associated Task/Skills. 

A number of the Task/Skills requirements have the same competency. Where this repetition occurs, 

the competency is repeated in its entirety with its initial number. 

 

1

 National Wildland Coordination Group, Task Book for the Position of Communications Unit Leader, PMS311-35/NFES2345, (United States 

Department of Agriculture, United States Department of the Interior, National Association of State Foresters, 1999). pp. 5-17.
3

Communications Unit Leader (COML) 

Core Competencies 

Task/Skills Competency/Requirements 

GENERAL 

1. Obtain and assemble information and materials 

needed for response kit prior to receiving an 

assignment, including critical items needed for the 

assignment and items needed for functioning during 

the first 48 hours. The following items are suggested 

as basic information and materials: 

• Appropriate ICS Forms and Logs. 

• Radio Station Log. 

• Pads of paper, pencils, pens, and tape. 

• Flashlight. 

• Alarm clock. 

• Portable radio(s) as appropriate for the region. 

• Radio programming equipment (cloning cable or 

computer). 

1. Employing agency must support development of the 

COML position, including necessary equipment for 

incident response. 

2. Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and 

interagency working relationships. 

• Through briefings, discuss EEO, civil rights, 

sexual discrimination and other sensitive issues, 

with assigned personnel. 

• Create a work environment that provides 

diversity and equal opportunity for all personnel 

assigned to the incident. 

• Provide equal assignment opportunities based on 

individual skill level. 

• Monitor and evaluate progress based on expected 

work standards. 

• Address individual agency values and policies 

throughout the tenure of the incident. 

• Arbitrate differences in agency values and 

policies that affect the operation in a manner that 

fosters continuous positive working relationships. 

• Integrate cultural resource considerations into all 

management activities. 

2. COML must have basic supervisory skills. 

3. COML must have knowledge of applicable local, 

state and Federal labor practices and regulations. 

4. COML must have appropriate personnel 

management skills. 

3. Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned 

personnel during the entire period of supervision. 

• Recognize potentially hazardous situations. 

• Inform subordinates of hazards. 

• Ensure that special precautions are taken when 

extraordinary hazards exist. 

• Ensure adequate rest is provided to all unit 

personnel. 

• Recognize any special medical needs of all unit 

5. COML must have required risk management training 

and be able to apply appropriate risk management 

and hazard mitigation processes. 
4

personnel. 

MOBILIZATION 

4. Obtain complete information from dispatch upon 

initial activation. 

• Incident name. 

• Incident Order Number and/or Request Number. 

• Reporting location. 

• Reporting time. 

• Transportation arrangements/travel routes. 

• Contact procedures during travel 

(telephone/radio). 

6. COML must be available during on-call period and 

able to respond within established agency and 

regional guidelines. 

5. Gather information to assess the incident assignment. 

This is an ongoing task throughout all phases of the 

incident. 

7. COML must be able to multi-task around a 

potentially significant workload. 

8. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

ICS. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

INCIDENT ACTIVITIES 

6. Arrive at incident and check in. Arrive properly 

equipped at the assigned incident location within 

acceptable time limits. 

1. Employing agency must support development of the 

COML position, including necessary equipment for 

incident response. 

6. COML must be available during on-call period and 

able to respond within established agency and 

regional guidelines. 

7. Obtain briefing from supervisor. Examples of 

briefing items are: 

• Work space. 

• Work schedule. 

• Policies and operating procedures. 

• Current resource commitments and expectations. 

• Current situation. 

• Expected duration of assignment. 

• Special needs. 

This list is not all inclusive; COML is responsible for 

asking adequate questions. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 

8. Receive Incident Action Plan (IAP). Determine 

support needs to meet the IAP. 

11. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

agencies, geography, resources, topology and 

politics within the region. 

9. Determine requirements for communications to be 

established and place the initial order. Using 

information obtained from IAP, section briefings and 

agency briefings, immediately order (using proper 

procedures) supplies, materials and equipment 

necessary to support projected incident size. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

12. COML must possess a good working knowledge of 

regional communications procedures and protocols 

in order to properly inventory and size resource 

orders. 

10. Evaluate needs and order supplies, materials and 

personnel to keep unit operating. 

• Order materials and supplies using procedures 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 
5

established by the section chief. 

• Maintain quantities of supplies and materials at a 

level to prevent shortage of any basic needed 

items. 

• Ensure adequate personnel to support the 

communications unit, technicians, Radio 

Operators, etc. 

11. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

agencies, geography, resources, topology and 

politics within the region. 

12. COML must possess a good working knowledge of 

regional communications procedures and protocols 

in order to properly inventory and size resource 

orders. 

11. Organize and supervise unit. 

• Brief and keep subordinates informed and 

updated. 

• Establish unit time frames and schedules. 

• Assign and monitor work assignments. 

• Review and approve time. 

• Develop team work. 

• Provide counseling and discipline as needed. 

• Follow established procedures for reporting 

inappropriate actions involving contractors, 

military or other personnel. 

• Brief relief personnel. 

2. COML must have basic supervisory skills. 

4. COML must have appropriate personnel management 

skills. 

7. COML must be able to multi-task around a 

potentially significant workload. 

8. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

ICS. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region. 

12. Participate in incident planning meetings as the 

technical expert for communications needs. 

• Determine the feasibility of providing the 

required communications support. 

• Provide operational and technical information on 

communications equipment available for the 

incident. 

• Provide operational and technical information on 

communications equipment capabilities and 

restrictions. 

14. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

communications resources available within the 

region, as well as outside of the region (other 

regions, State, Federal, etc). This knowledge must 

include general operational and technical specifics 

for these resources. 

13. Design communications systems to meet incident 

operational needs. 

• Determine additional resource needs and order 

necessary equipment and personnel. 

• Prepare Incident Radio Communications Plan, 

ICS Form 205. 

• Request any additional communications vendor 

services; e.g., telephone, satcom, microwave and 

identify costs associated with equipment. 

• Coordinate, through the chain of command, the 

locations for equipment to be installed; e.g., 

repeaters, telephone lines, etc. 

• Provide communications support for external and 

internal data operations. 

• Order frequencies following the proper 

procedures. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 

15. COML must have basic radio and telephone 

engineering knowledge and RF design skills 

needed to do coverage, interference mitigation and 

system designs required for incident 

communications. 

16. COML must have a good understanding of 

frequency coordination processes, including how 

to rapidly obtain Station Temporary Authorizations 

from the FCC, and to work with four FCCdesignated Public Safety Frequency Coordinators 

to identify new resources and mitigate interference 

problems. 

14. Install communications equipment. 

• Obtain equipment from supply unit. 

17. COML must be competent at equipment installation 

for the types of communications equipment 
6

• Install and test all components of the 

communications equipment to ensure the 

incident’s systems are operational, for example: 

o Command repeater 

o Logistics repeater 

o Links (radio and wire-based) 

o Remotes 

o Aircraft and other special needs 

• Develop installation priorities, while adhering to 

safety standards regarding communications needs 

of tactical personnel; i.e., operations before 

logistics. 

• Clone or program radios. 

normally encountered in the region, including 

radio programming. 

18. In addition to having required risk management 

training and being able to apply appropriate risk 

management and hazard mitigation processes, 

COML must be aware of applicable Occupational 

Safety & Health Administration Radio Frequency 

exposure rules and standards. 

15. Assign communications equipment. 

• Identify kinds and numbers of communications 

equipment to be distributed to specific units 

according to the communications plan. 

• Provide resources and unit leaders with 

appropriate equipment based on the 

communications plan. 

• Provide basic training as needed on equipment 

being fielded. 

• Maintain equipment inventory to provide 

accountability. 

19. COML must be able to communicate effectively, 

efficiently and at the appropriate level with a wide 

variety of people outside of the Communications 

Unit in order to quickly accomplish training in the 

field. 

16. Establish Incident Communications Center (ICC). 

• Coordinate location of ICC with Facilities Unit 

Leader. 

• Locate ICC close to the incident command post 

and away from high traffic areas and noise. 

• Locate ICC away from radio frequency and 

electronic noise. 

• Verify Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of 

communications personnel and establish 

assignments based on incident requirements. Set 

schedules around operations requirements. 

• Obtain necessary supplies for ICC to function 

properly. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

11. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

agencies, geography, resources, topology and 

politics within the region. 

12. COML must possess a good working knowledge of 

regional communications procedures and protocols 

in order to properly inventory and size resource 

orders. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region. 

17. Manage operations of the ICC. 

• Document radio/telephone activities on 

appropriate forms. 

• Set up filing system for ICC documentation. 

• Direct radio/telephone traffic to proper 

destinations. 

• Establish notification procedures for emergency 

messages. 

• Identify system problems, both technical and 

operational, and determine appropriate solutions. 

• Follow established routing procedures for 

messages. 

All of the above competencies/requirements must be 

appropriately applied to manage the ICC. 
7

18. Coordinate frequencies, activities, and resources with 

Communications Coordinators (COMCs). 

• Contact COMCs and notify them of incident 

frequency assignments. 

• Identify communications equipment and 

personnel that are excess to incident needs and 

demobilize if appropriate. 

• Identify resources as to type/qualifications, 

quantity, and location. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 

15. COML must have basic radio and telephone 

engineering knowledge and RF design skills 

needed to do coverage, interference mitigation and 

system designs required for incident 

communications. 

16. COML must have a good understanding of 

frequency coordination processes, including how 

to rapidly obtain Station Temporary Authorizations 

from the FCC, and to work with four FCCdesignated Public Safety Frequency Coordinators 

to identify new resources and mitigate interference 

problems. 

19. Notify appropriate local, county, regional, State and 

Federal agencies on adjacent incident(s) of system 

design and frequency allocations. 

 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

15. COML must have basic radio and telephone 

engineering knowledge and RF design skills 

needed to do coverage, interference mitigation and 

system designs required for incident 

communications. 

16. COML must have a good understanding of 

frequency coordination processes, including how 

to rapidly obtain Station Temporary Authorizations 

from the FCC, and to work with four FCCdesignated Public Safety Frequency Coordinators 

to identify new resources and mitigate interference 

problems. 

20. Initiate and maintain accurate records of all 

communications equipment. 

• Initiate and maintain accountability system for 

issuing hand-held radio resources. 

• Document geographic locations of equipment 

and transfer this information to local maps 

(latitude/longitude, legal). 

• Keep records for local and national resources to 

ensure return to proper locations. 

10. COML must have excellent organizational skills. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region. 

21. Perform operational tests of communications systems 

throughout the duration of the incident. 

• Identify and take necessary action to accomplish 

minor field repair or place orders for replacement 

of equipment. 

• Plan for battery replacement. 

• Act decisively to minimize interruptions in 

system operation. 

7. COML must be able to multi-task around a 

potentially significant workload. 

11. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

agencies, geography, resources, topology and 

politics within the region. 

15. COML must have basic radio and telephone 

engineering knowledge and RF design skills 

needed to do coverage, interference mitigation and 

system designs required for incident 
8

 communications. 

22. Interact and coordinate with appropriate unit leaders 

and operations personnel. 

• Coordinate with operations regarding system 

coverage and needs. 

• Coordinate with first responders and public 

safety support organizations regarding needed 

support (e.g., medical unit for medical evacuation 

plan). 

• Coordinate with special units (air operations, 

EOD, SWAT, etc) for special frequency needs. 

• Participate in planning meetings and briefings. 

4. COML must have appropriate personnel management 

skills. 

5. COML must have required risk management training 

and be able to apply appropriate risk management 

and hazard mitigation processes. 

8. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

ICS. 

19. COML must be able to communicate effectively, 

efficiently and at the appropriate level with a wide 

variety of people outside of the Communications 

Unit in order to quickly accomplish training in the 

field. 

23. Identify for release, excess unit resources. 

Coordinate with unit managers and provide a list of 

excess personnel and facilities. List will include: 

• Who or what is excess. 

• Time and date of excess. 

• The list will be reviewed daily for accuracy. 

• Follow the established demobilization process, 

including notification to COMCs. 

8. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

ICS. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 

11. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

agencies, geography, resources, topology and 

politics within the region. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region. 

24. Maintain ICS Unit Log. Unit Log will be kept 

current, legible, and will document all major 

activities, which may include: 

• Equipment locations. 

• Medical evacuations. 

• Personnel changes. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 

25. Evaluate performance of subordinates as required by 

agency policy and/or permitted by agreement. 

• Discuss performance evaluations with 

individual(s). 

• Maintain accuracy and fairness. 

• List training if needed or desired. 

2. COML must have basic supervisory skills. 

3. COML must have knowledge of applicable local, 

state and Federal labor practices and regulations. 

4. COML must have appropriate personnel management 

skills. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region. 

DEMOBILIZATION 

26. Demobilization and check out. 

• Submit all required information to the 

Documentation Unit Leader. 

• Receive demobilization instructions from work 

supervisor. 

• Brief subordinate staff on demobilization 

8. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

ICS. 

9. COML must have a good working knowledge of the 

Multi-agency Coordination System applicable to the 

region. 

10. COML must have excellent organization and 

planning skills and be able to apply them while 

under significant job pressure. 
9

procedures and responsibilities. 

• Ensure that incident and agency demobilization 

procedures are followed. 

• Complete required ICS form(s) and turn in to the 

appropriate person. 

• Ensure that personnel in the unit are demobilized 

correctly. 

• Document lost equipment on agency specific 

forms. 

13. COML must have a good working knowledge of 

Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of 

Agreement/Understanding, and related governance 

documents for the region.