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.
October Highlights
Great Shakeout
The 2026 International ShakeOut Day is October 15, and more than 1.5 million people throughout Washington, 19 million people across the United States, and millions more worldwide are expected to participate!
Visit Shakeout.org to register, ShakeOut.org/faq for answers to many questions, and shakeout.org/howtoparticipate for suggestions, drill manuals, and resources for each ShakeOut participation category.
Catastrophic Communications Exercise 2026
When: October 30, 2026 10am till 12pm and 1pm till 3pm local time. There is also an Amateur Radio component on October 31, 9am till noon.
Scope: This is a nationwide communications exercise involving SHARES members, federal agencies, state, county, tribal and city emergency management agencies and critical infrastructure.
Scenario: A cascading cyber-attack of unknown origin has effectively shut down local power and communications, affecting E911, law enforcement, emergency first responders, aviation, hospitals, and other critical services.
Supporting Agencies, EOCs: This exercise is designed to test our emergency communication capability. It will feature HF radios operating within the SHARES environment and a new reporting tool found on Winlink. It will provide a safe space to test capabilities and processes on a national level before they are needed. There will be training sessions provided on how the exercise is going to work. This will help to eliminate confusion and focus on the capabilities and process.
If you have any questions please contact us by email at: SHARES@CISA.DHS.GOV
If you would like to register for the exercise please register at Registration and Directory Information
Temporary Spokane County ARES-ACS Webpage
The spokares.org website was hacked. This page acts as a temporary repository for general information for the Spokane County ARES-ACS group.
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
October 15 - The Great Shakeout @ 1015
October 30-31 - 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 November 18th to 24th<==
Once again Washington State gets to be the portable station for the W1AW 250th Anniversary event. I am looking for operators. Please advise your members that they can be a part of this event by being an operator. Operators can work from home. Minimum requirements are that you have a computer logging application that can output an .adif file to upload your contacts. Otherwise, any barefoot or high-power station is welcome.
Those interested should contact Mike Drorbaugh W7MKE, via email at bentneedle@comcast.net. I will be setting up a schedule for operators as we get closer to the November 18th start. General information on the event is at https://www.arrl.org/files/file/America250/250page.pdf
Mike Drorbaugh W7MKE
WA State Co-Ordinator
Radio Club of Tacoma
HF Committee
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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