The founder of the Salvation Army Emergency Radio Network,

Pat McPherson, WW9E, is now a Silent Key.

To read more of his activities go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/satern-founder-pat-mcpherson-ww9e-sk

The Quake Cottage is an earthquake simulator. It is currently on the lower mainland of British Columbia and will soon be arriving on Vancouver Island. To see their schedule  and learn more see the two sites below

http://www.quakecottage.com/

http://www.quakecottage.com/2016-tour-of-canada/

An interesting article on the earths magnetic field from Spaceweather.  Copied here for your information

EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD IS CHANGING: Anyone watching a compass needle point steadily north might suppose that Earth’s magnetic field is a constant. It’s not. Researchers have long known that changes are afoot. The north magnetic pole routinely moves, as much as 40 km/yr, causing compass needles to drift over time. Moreover, the global magnetic field has weakened 10% since the 19th century.

A new study by the European Space Agency’s

Continue reading EARTHS MAGNETIC FIELD IS CHANGING.. →

Chief Darby is finally getting some time off. He is truly a credit to his profession and there are not many who can put into words what he did,how he did it and the effort he put forth. Enjoy some time off Chief

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/fire-chief-darby-allen-passes-baton-as-fort-mcmurray-recovery-efforts-take-centre-stage

Do you the definition of evacuation order, tsunami alert, flood watch ? The list below is even longer

The site below will give you the answers you need.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/definitions?WT.cg_n=HootSuite

Effective today May 10th 2016 Comox Traffic will be moved to Victoria. A better idea from the Government of Canada. This a further consolidation of Cost Guard Radio Stations. Comox Traffic may still be contacted on Channel 71.  For “eyes on” weather in northern Georgia Strait boaters will now have to rely on BC Ferries.  Boaters who are hams may consider using the Island Trunk System to provide weather information to other ham boaters in the area. PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO NOTIFICATION REGARDING MMSI NUMBERS

P-0510(2016) COMOX MCTS
Area: VANCOUVER ISLAND
Type: GENERAL TYPE
Activated: 09/May/2016 23:20

MARINERS ARE ADVISED THAT EFFECTIVE MAY 10 2016 ALL MARINE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAFFIC SERVICES FOR COMOX WILL BE CONSOLIDATED TO VICTORIA MCTS. THERE MAY BE INTERMITTENT OUTAGES BETWEEN 0800-1400 PDT WHILE COMMUNICATIONS SITES ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO VICTORIA.

THE MMSI FOR COMOX COAST GUARD RADIO WILL BE DISCONTINUED. VESSELS USING VHF DSC SHOULD NOW USE THE VICTORIA MMSI NUMBER 003160011.

ANY VESSELS OPERATING IN THE COMOX TRAFFIC ZONE WILL REPORT TO VICTORIA TRAFFIC ON CHANNEL 71 AND VICTORIA COAST GUARD ON CHANNEL 16 AND OTHER WORKING CHANNELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES ZONE REGULATIONS.

To read the report from the Alberta Section Manager of the Radio Amateurs of Canada go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/canadian-radio-amateurs-went-on-alert-to-assist-in-alberta-wildfire-emergency-evacuations

Fire lines held in many areas most of the day. The wind came up in the evening. Ham Radio operations have been stood down. All the evacuees north of town have been moved south and that in itself is a huge accomplishment. There is still a long way to go in this fight. To the men and women fighting the fire, to the police and all those working to put an end to this event    Stay safe.

Continue reading FT MCMURRAY UPDATE MAY 9 2016 →

The following is a post from a ham who was literally in the thick of things during the initial phases of the massive fire.  There will no doubt be some who complain about what happened; hind sight is always 20 20, but I think this post attests what many did when things needed to get done. At times THANK YOU just doesn’t seem to be enough.

Working with the logistics & infrastructure teams of the Regional Emergency Operation Center I have seen this disaster onfold from a unique vantage point. The Heroes of Fort McMurray are the RCMP, Bylaw Officers, Peace Officers, ESS and the Firefighters. Their work to ensure the preservation of life will never be forgotten by me, or the citizens of Canada.

Our Heroes are being led by an amazing leader, Darby Allen. I have watched, and listened, to this man conduct the operations for the last three days. I wish you could see how he brings out the best of those around him.

Please keep the emergency frequencies clear while those in Alberta fight the fires. As always please make sure the frequency is not in use before you use it. Your cooperation is appreciated

UPDATED 4 MAY 2016;  The situation in Alberta is still critical. Please keep the emergency frequencies clear.

UPDATED 5 MAY 2016.  . Red Cross Family Reunification phone number 1.888.350.6070  EVACUEES ARE URGED to contact the Red Cross family reunification centre (1-888-350-6070) or the Municipality of Wood Buffalo (wildfire@rmwb.ca) to confirm that they are safe.

NOT A PLUG FOR WEST JET BUT  when a company steps up they need to be recognized.   http://blog.westjet.com/update-westjet-efforts-fort-mcmurray-evacuation/?sm_cid=social:ws-world:fort-mcmurray-forest-fires:all-channels

Let me begin by thanking, from the bottom of my heart, the thousands of Albertans and other Canadians who have come together to help address this disaster.

These have been days to see the work of real heroes: The firefighters who are struggling to contain this fire, and save as much of the city as possible; the police officers; the health professionals; the DND flyers and personnel; the workers who scrambled to turn work camps into reception centres; the good citizens who got out there to share water, food and fuel; the municipal administration led by Mayor Melissa Blake who led a remarkable response to a sudden disaster; and the incredibly dedicated and hardworking team of federal, provincial, municipal and NGO leaders right here at the Provincial Operations Centre in Edmonton.

Thank you to everyone who is helping these heroes address this disaster – and thank you to the brave, determined and neighborly people of Fort McMurray who responded so calmly and effectively to this crisis challenging your community. Alberta and all of Canada are with you. We have your back. And we are going to make sure you have the help you need — today, tomorrow, and in the weeks and months to come as we rebuild.

That’s how we do it in Alberta.

CURRENT SITUATION

The fire continues to burn out of control.

Today the fire covers over 101,000 hectares. The wind is now expected to shift to the south west, and will push the fire to the north east, and that will send the fire into the forestry areas away from the community.

Firefighters have been working – bravely, effectively and in brutally long days and nights — to save the city of Fort McMurray. We have been fighting the fire using every tool available to firefighters.

A provincial fire ban is in effect across Alberta. All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued” All open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes, are prohibited.

More than 1,200 firefighters, approximately 110 helicopters, 295 pieces of heavy equipment and more than 27 air tankers are fighting the fires across the province. Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nation remain under a mandatory evacuation order.

Albertans can call 310-4455 for information and stay up to date on the Alberta Emergency Alert and Alberta Wildfire apps.

MAY 6 POLICE ACTIVITY  UPDATE 2200 HRS

http://www.albertapolicereport.ca/2016/05/06/alberta-rcmp-fire-update-2-fort-mcmurray-may-6-2016/