A new association made up of ham radio operators is ready to provide vital emergency communication service to the community.
The Coast Emergency Communications Association is made up of local area amateur radio operators, is dedicated solely to providing accurate and efficient emergency communications services to government agencies, non-governmental agencies and the public in times of community crisis.
Recent emergencies such as the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the New Zealand and Haiti earthquakes and other such events have all involved the services of amateur radio.
In times of disasters when regular communications such as telephone, cell phones and the Internet are compromised due to damage or simply because they are overwhelmed by the crisis, amateur radio operators step in to serve their community.
Amateur radio is included within the emergency programs of both the City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Dedicated radios and other equipment have been acquired by both the city and the RDN and have been installed at the various emergency centres for use by association members should a crisis occur.
Members of the Coast Emergency Communications Association are also members of the Provincial Emergency Program and the national Amateur Radio Emergency Service. The Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and similar organizations have established formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service to provide communications.
An orientation night for anyone interested in learning more about the new Nanaimo organization will be held 7 p.m. tonight (April 28) at the association’s office, Rm. 2, 1415 Wingrove St.
The association will hold its inaugural general meeting to elect a slate of officers Sept. 29.
For further information, please contact e-mail ceca@coastemergence.ca or visit www.coastemergency.ca.
