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“Tsunamis are a rare but serious threat. There are two main types of tsunamis that could impact British Columbia’s coast. The first threat is from tsunamis that are generated out in the Pacific Ocean. These off-shore tsunamis could impact BC’s outer coastal communities with waves from either, the north, south or west. The second type of threat is from tsunamis that are generated in local waters. These near-shore tsunamis may be triggered by earthquakes, landslides or underwater slides and could impact any coastal area of British Columbia.”

From the Tsunami Preparedness Guide published by:

Ministry of Public Safety
and Solicitor General
Provincial Emergency Program

On Wednesday Nov 23,2011 an Emergency Management Conference was held in Victoria, B.C. at the conference centre. Speakers included Jon Mitchell ,Manager, Regional Emergency Management Office, Canterbury New Zealand, and Carolyn Taylor from Duncan B.C who was in Christchurch, NZ when the February 22, earthquake struck. In addition Sonja Ruthe from the Canadian Red Cross spoke of the Slave Lake Alberta recovery from the Wildfires of this year. Kelli Kryzanowski, from Emergency Management BC, spoke of the ongoing recovery in Japan and LIsa Pierce of the Red Cross spoke of the ongoing issues in Hati.

The audience included people from the various areas of emergency management, and the house was full.

Rob Johns and Brock Henson from the Emergency Management of Victoria and Saanich showed the similiarities of Christchurch and Victoria. The similiarities are very similiar and served as a very real reminder of what could happen to Victoria and Vancouver Island should there be a significant earthquake.

All in all a very interesting day that included a 4.0 magnitude earthquake 165km nw of Port Alice on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There was no reported damage.

Compliments to Ron Johns and Brock Henson for their organization of the day and to the City of Victoria, the Municipality of Saanich, the Capitol Regional District and Emergency Management BC for their support.

Posted on November 24, 2011 by va7mpg

4.2 Mb – VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude 4.2 Mb
Date-Time
23 Nov 2011 23:02:44 UTC
23 Nov 2011 15:02:44 near epicenter
23 Nov 2011 15:02:44 standard time in your timezone
Location 50.752N 129.788W
Depth 9 km
Distances
161 km (100 miles) W (274 degrees) of Port Hardy, BC, Canada
334 km (208 miles) WNW (286 degrees) of Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
396 km (246 miles) S (175 degrees) of Prince Rupert, BC, Canada
503 km (312 miles) WNW (292 degrees) of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Location Uncertainty Horizontal: 26.3 km; Vertical 8.5 km Continue reading “4.2 Mb – VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION”

Italian and Turkish HF Emergency operations complete.
Written by G0DUB
Wednesday, 09 November 2011 15:53

The use of HF frequencies by RNRE in Italy for the flooding in the North West of their country and TRAC for the Earthquake in Van province of Turkey has finished. There is no further need to take care when operating around 3.643, 3.760MHz, 7.045-7.060 and 7.092-7.095 MHz.

Thanks to all amateurs who kept the frequencies clear for emergency traffic.

New Section Manager for BC/Yukon
2011-11-01

It is indeed a pleasure for me to announce the appointment of Paul Giffin VA7MPG Section Manager for British Columbia/Yukon effective today. Paul has been licensed since 1993 and has been active in emergency communications for the past 47years, over 40 of them as an operational member of the RCMP. He is currently Emergency Coordinator for the City of Nanaimo and the southern portion of the Regional District of Nanaimo. He is also President of Coast Emergency Communications Group and the mid island Assistant Regional Emergency Radio Representative for the BC Provincial Emergency Program. Paul resides in Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Welcome aboard Paul.

In making this announcement, I would like to sincerely thank outgoing Section Manager Drew Watson VA7DR who completed his two year term yesterday. His service to the RAC and the BC/YT Section is very much appreciated.

Paul is eager to receive news from your area along with any ideas or suggestions that you may have. He is also in the process establishing a BC/YT Section Bulletin service so why not drop him an e-mail to be sure that you are included. You can e-mail him at guppy1@shaw.ca.

73

Doug Mercer VO1DM CEC
Vice President Field Services

— From Rac website http://www.rac.ca/en/news/bulletins/2011/35/

DATE: November 8, 2011 12:00:00 PM AKST
Coast Guard prepares for severe weather

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard is working with federal and state agencies to respond to incoming severe weather in the Bering Sea and Western Alaska Tuesday. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard prepares for severe weather”

Following flash flooding in the Liguria and Tuscany regions of North West Italy last week which killed 10 people, further heavy rain has struck the region killing more people in flooding.

The Amateur Radio Voluntary communications group RNRE has been asked by their government to provide additional radio communications in the affected areas from Friday 4th November until at least Monday 7th November.

HF Frequencies which may be used in Italy are 3.643, 3.760MHz and 7.045-7.060MHz. Amateurs are asked to listen carefully before using these frequencies to avoid causing QRM to emergency nets.

IARU Region 1
http://www.iaru-r1.org/

Article originally posted on Southgate Amateur Radio News