Inland Northwest Emergency Communications

Stay informed and prepared for emergencies in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho that could affect you, your family and your community.

March's Highlights

Bloomsday/Lilac Parade Help

We have been formally requested to help out with radio communications for both the Bloomsday Run May 3, and the Lilac Parade May 16. Both GMRS and Amateur operators are needed. These are really fun events you get great seats to watch and you can bring your families along. Most positions are just monitoring different parts of the routs, or medical tent and start line communications. Contact Dave Carleton for Bloomsday or Dan Croskrey for further information.
These events give real world practice on your radios and really help the community.

2026 TSUNAMI Exercise

March 19, 2026, 0600 UTC to March 30, 2026, 0600 UTC - Get Ready for the 2026 TSUNAMI Exercise! Join LAXNORTHEAST, ETO, and More in Building Community Preparedness
We believe that true resilience starts at the community level and grows through collaboration. That is why LAXNORTHEAST, ETO, and many more dedicated groups are thrilled to jointly support the 2026 TSUNAMI Exercise, a global, simulated emergency response scenario designed to boost our operational readiness and keep our neighborhoods safe!
Whether you are operating from a dedicated shack or testing out a new mobile go-kit, this exercise is built entirely around community preparedness. Over the course of the drill, participants will sharpen their digital communication skills by completing 8 Winlink tasks, ranging from "Did You Feel It?" reports to situational awareness bulletins.
Here are the critical details you need to participate:
· Operational Period: March 19, 2026, 0600 UTC to March 30, 2026, 0600 UTC.
- Exercise ID: You must strictly use TSUNAMI (all caps) to ensure your data routes correctly.
· Instructions: Download the full exercise guidelines and resources at https://www.laxnortheast.org/exercises/tsunami

CERT Training is Coming

There are two CERT training opportunities coming up in the near future:
CERT Basic Training - March 24-26, 2026, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, location is TBD. Information here.
CERT Train-the-Trainer Training - April 21-23, 2026, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. location is Spokane Valley SDA Church, 1601 South Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley, WA. 99037. Information here.
To register contact: Celso Rangel WA. State CERT Coordinator at celso.rangel@ofm.wa.gov, Phone: (360) 480-6363 (Questions)
REGISTRATION CLOSES 18 days before class starts @ 5:00pm

First Aid, CPR & AED class

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9 AM to 3 PM
COST: $15 (incl tax) for the digital certification.* There is no charge for the training. *You can bring cash or a check made out to Spokane County Treasurer with DEM First Aid in the note section on the check.
Contact: Simone Ramel-McKay, SRamelMcKay@SpokaneCounty.gov

Spokane County Emergency Management

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

March 7, 2026 - Mike and Key Swap Meet, Puyallup, WA
March 8, 2026 - St Paddy's 5K (Volunteers needed) Contact Randall Jones, AE7RJ
March 19-30, 2026 - 2026 TSUNAMI Exercise - This is a multi-state, multi-organizational exercise
March 25, 2926 - KARS ZOOM Technician Class Starts, Contact Dale Dupree for details.
April 18, 2026 - World Amateur Radio Day
April 25 and May 2, 2026 - Jack Tiley's Extra Class
May 3, 2026 - Bloomsday (Volunteers needed)
May 16?, 2026 - Torchlight Parade (Volunteers needed)
June 5-7, 2026 - SEAPAC, Seaside, OR
June 6, 2026 - IEVHFRC Swap Meet, 8am-2pm, Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex, South parking area, 12320 E Upriver Drive, Spokane Valley WA, Back parking Lot
June 13, 2026 - Hazard City Exercise (LDS Church)
June 14, 2026 - Climb for Cure (Volunteers needed)
July 16, 2026 - Cherry Pickers Trot in Green Bluff (Volunteers needed)
August 9, 2026 - Kootenai Hamfest and ARRL State Convention, River of Life Friends Church, 3263 E. 12th Ave. Post Falls, ID 83854
August 29, 2026 - Jack Tiley's Technician Class
September - National Preparedness Month
September 13, 2026 - RIM Ride (Volunteers needed)
October 3, 2026 - Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
October 15, 2026 - The Great Shakeout
November TBD - Catastrophic Communications Exercise 2026
December 4-5 - SKYWARN Recognition Day, National Weather Service