YARA EmComms
This page was created in 2019 and is currently undergoing updates in view of the recent changes with the RAC Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS). See below - the webmaster
National HF Emergency Communications Frequencies Radio Amateurs of CanadaYARA Repeater VHF Frequencies Yukon Amateur Radio Association
Other Candian HF Nets Chez VE6LK
Alaskan HF Nets Anchorage Amateur Radio Club(AARC)
YARA is Prepared
Members of YARA are involved in emergency communications preparedness in a number of ways. First, some members particpate in a nightly emergency preparedness net. Others have completed certification in the Incident Command System (ICS) and others are involved with the RAC Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS). Certified Emergency Coordinator. ARES Operations Training Manual
YARA volunteers are involved in Canadian Forces and government training exercises:
They also ensure that their equipment is working and they hone their communications skills by participating in community events such as the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Race and the Klondike International Road Relay and other partners that require communications support .
YARA has built and maintains a Yukon-wide linked repeater system that is powered by batteries and solar power and can provide communications support for simulated and real emergencies. YARA Repeater System
YARA puts on training sessions for its members and for the public and conducts field communications exercises. See photo page for YARA's activities which include training , field exercises, and repeater maintenance. Photos
YARA EPN volunteers and the Emcomms training/workshops/skills they have acquired. List of Volunteers
YARA maintains a list of EPN volunteers with their contact information and locations if all communications fail. This list is available to the EPN Coordinator and the President.
Yukon and Southeast Alaska Emergency Preparedness Net
DRAFT YARA Emergency Communications Plan (2019)
Draft YARA Emergency Communications Plan pdf - 1 meg
Draft YARA Emergency Communications Plan Word - 3 megs
Draft YARA Emergency Communications Plan Open Office - 3 megs
Draft YARA Certified Radio Emergency Communicators Exam pdf - 250 kb
Incident Command System (ICS)
The Incident Command System (ICS) is an international standardized on-site management system used to manage an incident or a non-emergency event, and can be used equally well for both small and large situations. It offers several levels of training for responders, agencies, and radio operators. Incident Command Canada
Incident Commanda Courses
The number of YARA ICS-certified members:
ICS-100 - 9
ICS-200 - 3
ICS-300 - 2
If you are interested in taking the on-line ICS-100 course or other courses, contact the President of YARA. Contacts
RAC Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)
The following paragraphs are excerpts and information from the RAC web pages.
RAC’s new Auxiliary Communications Service: A presentation by CSO Jason Tremblay, VE3JX. (Presentation Video)
At its meeting on March 18, 2021 the RAC Board of Directors expressed support for the new RAC Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) and directed the Executive to continue with its implementation.
Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) covers a wide range of Amateur Radio techniques and systems that could potentially be used during an emergency or disaster situation.
The new RAC Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) will assume the original function of the RAC Amateur Radio Emergency Service (RAC ARES), but its focus will shift to recognize that disaster response management and telecommunication standards are now mandated by Canadian federal, provincial and territorial legislation and regulations and by international agreements.
While the focus of non-government organizations will continue to be disaster relief operations, the role of the new RAC Auxiliary Communications Service will be to provide certified communications operators to supplement communications for local emergency management groups and non-government organizations and provide backup radio operators when required . ASC teams are in essence an integrated unpaid member of the sponsoring agency.
Hank Koebler, former Chief of Operations for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (Currently, DHS/CISA COMU Instructor/ICTAP SME), described it in this way:
“First of all, I’ll state my premise for volunteers working on behalf of an ‘Agency Having Jurisdiction’. It is simply that anyone, regardless of affiliation, professional or volunteer, who works in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) during an emergency, works for us. Their parent organization has no operational control once they set foot in the Ops centre. The parent organization has the responsibility to train and provide communications personnel to the agency. That is where their job ends. They are a functional unit, and do not command operationally in any manner. This avoids any ambiguity in the chain of command.”
As described in the quote, Radio Amateurs of Canada will continue to liaise with national agencies and NGOs to provide sections with the requirements expected from these organizations when working together in the field.
We will provide a foundational guideline of best practices for training to meet the obligations of today’s disaster response management teams. This training program is in development with the education/training committee directed by the National Training Coordinator Peggy Foley, VE3PGY. I will be providing updates as they come available.
RAC’s role today will be to provide a trained Auxiliary Communicator, meeting a minimal standard across the country. These operators will be able to adapt to the obligations locally or if called to assist in other areas throughout their sections or the country.
Connecting communities across the country will be a focus of the Canadian Field Service, with an emphasis on dissemination of information through on-air bulletins, mutual aid training and online meetings to help facilitate new ventures.
This venture will take some time but notices of meetings and other developments will be posted on the RAC website and published in upcoming TCA magazines.
Learn more about ACS and emergency communications. Look at an overview of the RAC ACS web page and links and the ARES Operations Training Manual (2019). What would be expected from you? Check Vol 1, Section 2, Page 2.5 The manual is "clickable" and will open to this section quickly.
ARES Application Form You can mail your application to the RAC Section Manager for BC / Yukon and make a copy for the YARA executive, or give your application to a member of the YARA executve.
EMO Partners
Summer 2008 page 1 & 2
Summer 2008 page 4
Summer 2008 page 5
Summer 2008 page 6 & &