Date: December 7, 2026 :: December 7 - 10, 2026

Time: 8 AM - 5 PM

The Communications Unit Leader (COML) course trains emergency responders to serve as radio communications unit leaders during all-hazards emergency operations. COML responsibilities include developing plans to effectively use incident communications equipment and facilities, managing distribution of communications equipment to incident personnel, and coordinating the installation and testing of communications equipment. Since 2008, the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS CISA) has conducted COML courses across the nation and trained more than 4,800 public safety responders in this course. Description This course is designed for all Federal, State/Territory, tribal, regional, and local emergency response professionals and support personnel who have an emergency communications background. It is designed to familiarize them with the role and responsibilities of a COML under the National Incident Management System Incident Command System (NIMS ICS). CISA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute have integrated the COML curriculum to jointly offer a standardized All Hazards COML course.

This course provides DHS-approved and NIMS-compliant instruction with a goal of ensuring Federal agencies and State/Territory organizations have trained personnel capable of coordinating on-scene emergency communications during a multi-jurisdictional response or a planned event. Instructors are approved by DHS and have extensive experience both as emergency responders and as COMLs. The course is presented with facilitated lecture using the WebEx Training platform, hands-on activities, and extensive interactive discussions. Instructors work through the discussions and activities to explain the processes used to achieve communication operability, interoperability, and how to incorporate additional communications solutions. This course is four days long and is limited to 30 students.

Class Prerequisites To attend this course, applicants must have the following prerequisites:
•A public safety communications background with exposure to field operations; thisexperience should be validated by the authority who supervises the applicant.
•Basic knowledge of local communications and communications systems; frequencies andspectrum; technologies; local topography; system site locations including knowledge of state,regional, and local communication plans; and communications and resource contacts.
•Completion of the following FEMA training courses:
oIS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
oIS-200, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
oICS-300, Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
oIS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
oIS-800, National Response Framework, An IntroductionIn addition, ICS-400, Advanced ICS, Command and General Staff-Complex Incidents, is recommended.

Registration Applicants should apply for the course by emailing Garrett Buzzell, SWIC, garrett.buzzell@maine.gov with the following information:
•Name
•Agency and applicant’s title/role
•Email
•Phone #
•Brief description of pertinent knowledge and experience that supports eligibility to take thecourse
•Scanned copies of all prerequisite Certificates of Completion for IS/ICS prerequisite courses:
oIS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
oIS-200, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
oICS-300, Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
oIS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
oIS-800, National Response Framework, An Introduction
o(optional/recommended: ICS-400, Advanced ICS, Command and General Staff-Complex Incidents)

Registration is not complete until all documentation has been received and verified by MEMA and the applicant has received confirmation of their admittance to the course. Admittance is limited to 30 qualified applicants.

For more information, contact:

• Garrett Buzzell, SWIC
• garrett.buzzell@maine.gov