Environment Canada, on Sunday Feb 2,2014 has issued several  weather statements and warnings. To see if your area is impacted go to

http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc

RAC has published an information sheet for 60M operations.  You need to make sure you are doing things right . For more information go to

https://www.rac.ca/downloads/60MOpsinfo.pdf

Military Reserve Units will be conducting an earthquake drill in Vancouver.  The probability of an earthquake is real on the coast. This is yet another of example of why we need to be prepared.  What have you done for your family and yourself? When was the last time your ARES unit participated in a SET?

Be part of the solution; be prepared.

For more information on the drill go to

http://www.vancourier.com/reservists-hope-to-shake-up-image-1.788950

The Island Trunk System is a group of linked repeaters on Vancouver Island.  It is popular in the summer as it is host to the BC Boater Net.  In addition, weekly nets are held by Emergency Management British Columbia as part of their emergency communication system. For more information on the system go to    http://www.islandtrunksystem.org/cms/

ARES members, do you know what the BC Emergency Response Management System is?  The website below will take you to all the documentation. This will give you an understanding of the Provincial response and help you with the your local response plans.

http://embc.gov.bc.ca/em/bcerms/bcerms_docs.html

Herb Hilgenberg VE3LML  received acknowledgement from the United States Coast Guard for his actions during a distress call. For all the details go to

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-weather-watchers-life-saving-work-wins-kudos-from-us-coast-guard/article16360831/

There will be a full volume Colliery Dam siren test today January 15th at 1030am.  This test will last several minutes. There is no action required by the public.  THIS IS ONLY A TEST OF THE SIRENS

The Shaftsbury High Altitude Robotics Project has received  grants from RAC and the Winnipeg Amateur Radio Club. For  more information go to

http://shsballoonproject.pbworks.com/w/page/7672410/SHARP%20-%20Shaftesbury%20High%20Altitude%20Robotics%20Project

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the BC Coast.  Ensure you pay attention to your local forecast for the next 24 hours.  To see the affected areas go to

http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc

At the present time BC has three recognized NTS nets,the British Columbia Emergency Net (BCEN,) the British Columbia Yukon Traffic Net (BCYTN) and the Coast Emergency Traffic Net (CECA).  In the last three months of 2013 these nets handled 357 pieces of traffic.  These numbers would support the idea that NTS is alive and well in British Columbia.

In addition, the BC Official Bulletin Stations, of which there are 16 covering 23  nets relayed 688 bulletins in 2013.  Thanks to all involved in relaying information.