IMPORTANT: Due to the similarities in both certification programs, ETA does not recommend taking both the Associate CET (CETa) and General Communications Technician – Level 1 (GCT1). The Associate CET is the foundational electronics certification for ETA's Journeyman program. The General Communications Technician – Level 1 is similar to the Associate CET, but with a more communications focus. The General Communications Technician – Level 1 is only accepted as a substitute for the Associate CET for those Journeyman options in the Communications category. You can read more about ETA's Certification Pathway here.

This is a two-day course.

The General Communications Technician-Level 1 certification program introduces the attendee to basic elements of various communications concepts and technologies. This includes basic electronics, fundamentals of radio, tools, test equipment, power systems, cabling and installations, environmental systems, antennas, transmission lines, operating principles and details on radios and radio systems, serial data and IP networks, basics of fiber optic lines and systems, telephony, satellite communications, physical plant considerations, site procedures and safety practices. LMR communications, satellite, telephone, data, and computer technologies used in incident response and planned events. General Communications Technician-Level 1 trains technicians on the practices and procedures common to radio communication technicians. This course will help communications technicians work within the Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure. It is intended for novice technicians or anyone that needs a basic technical understanding of communications systems. This course is ideal for federal, state, local, and tribal emergency response professionals and coordination/support personnel with communications backgrounds. Individuals who are responsible for managing a Strategic Technology Reserve (radio cache, mobile communications vehicle, or other deployable communications assets) are encouraged to attend. GCT1 is modeled after the US Department of Homeland Security's COM-T program.

Certification: ETA International General Communications Technician-Level 1 (GTC1)
Certification Test: Included in the price of the workshop