Communications Unit Technician (COMT)

TEMA Communications and local government partners will be conducting a Communications Unit Technician (COMT) Class May 5-9, 2025 at TEMA East Headquarters in Knoxville, TN.

The class size will be no more than 30 students.  This roster will close on April 25, 2025, or when the class registration meets the maximum number of students. All travel, lodging and meal expenses are the responsibility of each student. 

Point of Contact: Jimmy Floyd  |  Jimmy.Floyd@tn.gov  |  C: 731-697-8590

This class provides introductory and refresher training for the NIMS ICS COMT position. It introduces public safety professionals and support staff to various communications concepts and technologies including interoperable communications solutions, LMR communications, satellite, telephone, data, and computer technologies used in incident response and planned events. It is designed for state/territory, tribal, urban, and local emergency response professionals and support personnel in all disciplines who have a technical communications background.

Participants develop the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the COMT in an all-hazards incident, including responsibilities while operating in a local, regional, or state-level All-Hazards Incident Management Team.

The course is instructor-led and supports learning through discussion, lecture, and hands-on exercises to explain processes used for establishment and operation of the technical communications resources for an incident or planned event. The course provides a realistic, hands-on approach to mastering the tasks and skills of a COMT. Each attendee receives a Position Task Book.

Students should have the following: 

• A public safety background with experience in field operations
• A technical communications background
• Awareness of fundamental public safety communications technology
• Basic knowledge of applicable communications plans

Pre-requisites needed:

• IS-100
• IS-200
• IS-700
• IS-800
• ICS-300 Recommended