How to improve emergency communications' unit (COMU) task book completion rates in California

The field of Emergency communications is an area of great opportunity for California. This study systematically investigated knowledge, motivation and organizational factors that contributed to low task book completion rates of communication leaders (COMLs) and communication technicians (COMTs) to help identify gaps in knowledge such as information on upcoming sign off events, who to ask for guidance, the approval process for the task books, and organizational factors such as access to interjurisdictional exercises and policy to deploy in a training status. Based on a literature review, and surveys of past applicants and their county emergency managers, this study recommends several possible solutions: a) development of a Communication Unit (COMU) program that includes a community of practice to enhance collaboration, transparency, and mentorship, b) development of organizational policy at the state and local level, and c) providing COMU applicants with greater access to opportunities and task book completion exercises in trainee status either individually or as a member of a cohort. Implementation of a new state-sponsored COMU program would ultimately decrease communications issues through the certification of a greater number of communication leaders and technicians.