Inland Northwest Emergency Preparedness
Stay informed and prepared for emergencies in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho that could affect you, your family and your community.
July Highlights
Fire Season is here
The Ferry County SAR/CERT/ARES team has received the permission from their Sheriff and DEM to set up info boards that have been placed across a 150 mile route of Post Offices, Stores, and Gas stations sharing posters on wildfire evacuation preparation. The documents have been loaded into a Google Drive folder. You are free to share this across the Section and state. Our appreciation goes out to Ferry County for this effort.
2026 World Soccer Tournament - Amateur radio operators across USA, Canada and Mexico host cities are activating special callsigns (W6C, W5C/H, W5C/D, W2C, VB7F, 4A1CMX, 4A1GDL, 4A1MTY, VC3F, …) to celebrate this summer's 2026 World Soccer Tournament from 2026-06-11 to 2026-07-19. Visit https://wc2026ses.org/ for schedules
Providing professional full-spectrum Emergency Management services to build and sustain community resilience
Location
1121 W. Gardner Ave, Spokane, WA 99260
ARES-ACS Meetings (Open to the public)
1st Tuesday 5:30 PM ARES-ACS Staff Meeting
2nd Saturday 9:00 AM General Workshop
3rd Thursday 6:00 PM Training Meeting
GoFundMe Request
FROM: Dave Carleton
TO: ERC Net Operators
SUBJECT: Spokane Coordinating Council Go Fund me Drive
I have set up a GO Fund Me drive to help get some some funds to help with Communications Equipment we use here in the Spokane Coordinating Council. We have had a handful of folks that have been working to keep equipment running and up to date and we truly appreciate their work and contributions. But, we are in need of some help. We have equipment that is getting old, we are repositioning and upgrading some equipment to make it much more dependable and able to cover areas much better. We are also in the process of upgrading our Winlink capabilities in the area and making sure they are reliable when needed.
We need funding help. Any amount you or any other radio operators you know that could give would be greatly appreciated. I am including the link to donate (https://gofund.me/f0372115 ) and a QR code (to the right) that can be used to get to the page. It is a very easy process but, if you cannot get to it or need help, please feel free to contact me. You can give a donation to others and they can get on and do it for you.
Thanks again for all you are doing and in advance for the help giving as we need it. If you have any questions please contact me.
Upcoming Events
2026
July 16 - Cherry Pickers Trot in Green Bluff Contact Dan Croskey to volunteer
August 9 - Kootenai Hamfest and ARRL State Convention, River of Life Friends Church, 3263 E. 12th Ave. Post Falls, ID 83854
August 29 - Jack Tiley's Technician Class
September - National Preparedness Month
September 13 - RIM Ride Contact Jeff Banke to volunteer
October 3 - Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
October 15 - The Great Shakeout @ 1015
November TBD - Catastrophic Communications Exercise 2026
November 14 - Emergency Response Communicators Convention Contact Dave Carleton.
November 18-25 - Become W1AW/7 (See details below)
December 4-5 - SKYWARN Recognition Day, National Weather Service
2027
January 23 & 24 - Winter Field Day
March 6 - Mike and Key Hamfest, WA State Fairgrounds, Puyallup, WA
May 2 - Bloomsday Contact Dan Croskey to volunteer
June 4-6 - SEA-PAC, Seaside, OR
June 13 - Climb for the Cure. Contact Jeff Banke to volunteer.
The Radio Amateur's Code
The Radio Amateur is
CONSIDERATE...The radio amateur never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL...The radio amateur offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in their country, through which Amateur Radio in their country is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE...The radio amateur keeps their station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. Their operating practice is above reproach.
FRIENDLY...The radio amateur operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED...Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
PATRIOTIC...The radio amateur's station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.
- adapted from the original Amateur's Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928
Monthly Recurring Events
1st Thursday - SDXA meeting @ 1830
2nd Thursday - IEVHFRA meeting @ 1830
2nd Saturday - Spokane ARES Workshop @ 0900 @ DEM
3rd Wednesday - USWN Training Meeting @ 1930
3rd Thursday - KBARA Luncheon @ 1300
3rd Thursday - Spokane ARES Training meeting @ 1800 @ DEM
==>Become W1AW/7<==
During the week of November 18th, Washington State will operate as W1AW/7 during the ARRL WAS-250 event.
Please consider becoming one of the Washington State operators for this event. To select a day and time, click here.
All bands and all modes are allowed to be use. We only need to avoid two stations on the same band and mode at the same time. Please coordinate with the other station if you want to work a similar time. If you work SSB, they can have CW, FT8, RTTY or and other mode except SSB.
Use computer logs capable of outputting an .adif file that you can send Mike after your shift.
Contact WA State Coordinator for this event:
Mike Drorbaugh - W7MKE
bentneedle@comcast.net
253-973-3433
Emergency Communication Services
Providing essential information and support for emergency communications in Eastern Washington communities.
Connecting local resources and volunteers to enhance emergency response and preparedness in Inland Northwest.
Opportunities for gaining or upgrading your amateur radio license in the Spokane area.
EmComm
Your source for emergency communication information in the Inland Northwest.
Administrator
Frank E Hutchison
AG7QP/WRDI529
509-434-4880
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