From the ARRL

Southern Chile’s Calbuco volcano erupted this week for the first time in more than 40 years, forcing the evacuation of an area of some 12 miles around the volcano. Approximately 5000 residents have been relocated, and ash has been reported from as far away as Argentina.

According to Chile’s National Mining and Geology Service, the column of ash measures nearly 7 miles. The agency said volcanic activity was diminishing but that the state of emergency remains for the affected region.”Nature strikes our Chilean brothers one more time,” said International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 news editor Joaquín Solana, XE1R. IARU Region 2 reports that emergency nets are in operation on 7050 kHz, 14,250 kHz (alternate), and 3,738 kHz (alternate), and requests that other users keep those frequencies clear for emergency traffic.

NPR quoted correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, who reported that local officials are saying people are very frightened. “The immediate concern is the volcano’s eruption could trigger snow melts and cause flooding,” she said.

According to NPR, the volcanic activity “seems to have caught Chile’s geologists by surprise.” No injuries have been reported so far.

Opportunity to connect with the first high altitude cross band amateur radio FM Repeater Friday April 24.

RAC members in Manitoba are supporting High School ballon projects. The following announcement describes a balloon launch scheduled for Friday April 24.

Radio amateurs are invited to use the cross band amateur repeater that will be flown. Additional information available at:

Shaftesbury Overhead Amateur Repeater 1 (SOAR-1) Pre-flight Announcement to the Radio Amateur Community

or by visiting

http://shsballoonproject.pbworks.com/

While the folks in the interior of the Province of BC may talk more about wildfires the folks on the coast talk earthquake. The site below will take you to a map of the  known fault lines in BC.   This is yet more evidence of why you need an emergency kit, a plan, and an awareness of what to do when an earthquake hits.  ARES folks this is yet more information of value

http://www.cbc.ca/news/multimedia/every-fault-line-in-british-columbia-1.2919420 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/haida-gwaii-area-likely-location-of-future-large-earthquake-1.3022671?cmp=rss

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Key-to-Surviving-Tsunami-Fast-Walking.html

The 8th Annual Emergency Preparedness Event will be held at the Juan de Fuca Senior Centre on Sunday May 3rd 2015. This will kick off emergency preparedness week. For more information contact Troy Mollin Lieutenant | Emergency Program Officer View Royal Fire Rescue 280 Island Hwy | Victoria B.C., V9B 1G5

Ph. 250-479-7322 | C. 250-886-81

The ARRL Rookie Roundup,SSB, will be held on April 19th 2015.  For all the information on this contest cgo to

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-rookie-roundup-returns-ssb-event-is-sunday-april-19

http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup

The Kamloops Amateur Radio Club advises their repeater, VE7 RLO will be off the air until further notice as they have to do some testing.

This year April 18th has been designated as World Amateur Radio Day.  To learn about the history and what the day is about go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/world-amateur-radio-day-is-april-18

Once again the cell phone system failed during a serious event. This time it was during the response to the Boston Marathon Bombing.  See the comments of Peter Clifford, Superintendent Boston Fire Department.   I realize amateur radio was present for the race and was used in response to the the bombing. I commend all those involved.

When we have a significant event here, read earthquake or large wild fire, the situation will go on a lot longer and will involve a lot more people. We should learn from the experiences of others.

THE  QUESTION  is simply…… after numerous failures of the cell phone systems why doesn’t the government recognize amateur radio, create a strategy, implement a plan and embrace those amateur operators who are interested in emergency communications.  Don’t leave it to local jurisdictions; it needs coordination, standardization and interoperability……………. remember incident command ????

http://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog/massachusetts-public-safety-officials-recap-boston-marathon-response-during-initial

This Bulletin was received April 10 2015

April 11, 2015

Recently I have received a few questions from the field relating to ICS training. For the uninitiated, this is an emergency management operations doctrine based on the European Military Staff system and widely accepted by municipal and governments for emergency management. One of its benefits is that it facilitates Continue reading RAC BULLETIN – INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS) →

The Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association will hold their 67th birthday party April 18,2015 from  1pm – 7pm .Demonstrations of voice and digital modes. Foxhunt. Cake, Hotdogs, Refreshments available.

This event will occur at 1415 Wingrove St in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo BC and CECA will have a presence.