The
purpose of the
Wireless Society of Southern Maine Emergency Communications Team
(WSSM-ECT) is to serve the Cumberland County Emergency Management
Agency
(CCEMA), and the community in general, by providing emergency
communications assistance, conducting programs and training, promoting
radio knowledge, fraternalism, and individual operating efficiency, and
to conduct activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of
Amateur Radio as a viable and efficient means of communications
support.
WSSM-ECT
Training Net: 4th Thursday monthly on the WS1EC 449.225 (- /
103.5) repeater, in Windham, ME.
The
net focuses on developing skills, such as familiarity with message
forms, traffic handling, using modes like FM Simplex, Winlink, Packet,
and the FlDigi suite, while fostering an interest in and recruiting
newcomers to emergency communications. The net welcomes all forms of
traffic, both real and simulated. All are welcome to join us.
Jason
W1SFS, and others in conversation
|
Thom
W1WMG, programming CW macros
|
What
is
Emergency
Communications?
Among
other
things, amateur radio operators are recognized by the FCC as being a
pool of talented
communicators, who selflessly contribute their time and operating
skills to their communities when needed.
As
licensed radio operators who are proficient in their craft, hams are a
natural choice for providing backup or auxilliary communications to
organizations such as Emergency Management Agencies, the Red Cross,
local emergency services, SKYWARN, and others. They are called upon
during
natural disasters, search and rescue operations, disaster recovery
situations, HAZMAT spills, and even terrorist attacks.
You're
probably visiting this page because you too have had the inkling to put
your knowledge, equipment, and experience to practical use. Maybe
you've been in a situation where your ability to
establish communications in a short amount of time was needed, or maybe
you enjoy operating portable on the weekends, or contesting, just for
the challenge.
Emergency communications combines all of these things, and its a great
way to share your skills with fellow hams and learn how to apply them
to a common purpose.
|
Join the Team!
All
licensed
Amateur Radio
operators who are interested in emergency communications are eligible
for membership. Membership is by application and free of charge.
Club
emphasis
is on furthering members’ skills needed for
emergency communications through portable operations, education, and
exercises.
|
 |
Operating
Authority
The
WSSM-ECT
is authorized to operate under the authority of the Cumberland County
Emergency Management Agency by a signed Memorandum of Understanding.
All actions and procedures relating to communications assistance to
CCEMA will be approved in advance by the Managing Director or his/her
appointed representative.
Activation
The
WSSM-ECT membership will be notified of an activation by email or phone
call. When called upon, members will recevie instructions as to how
they are needed. This may be as simple as operating from the EMA
location for a period of time, or you may be called upon to establish
communications at a shelter location, from the CCEMA communications
trailer at an incident site, or check on the flood level of a
nearby river. Since the situation determines the need, its essential to
be prepared, and remember to always be READY, CAPABLE, and
PROFESSIONAL.
Training
Levels
|
Training
Within
one-year of joining ECT, member operators shall complete the following:
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|
|
Leadership
ECT liaison
and Team Leaders shall within one year of their appointment
complete the following:
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Frequencies
| Primary Simplex: 146.580 FM |
ARES HF Statewide (Day): 7262
kHz
LSB |
Primary
UHF Repeater: 449.225
(- 103.5)
|
| Secondary
Simplex: 146.595
FM |
ARES HF Statewide
(Night): 3940 kHz LSB |
Primary VHF Repeater: 147.090
(+ 100.0)
|
| Tertiary Simplex: 147.585 FM |
ARES HF Statewide
NBEMS: 3583 kHz USB |
DMR - TS2
Group Talk:
ME Statewide |
Quick Reference Packets:
Resources
for
Emergency
Communicators
Click here to
download a simplfied version of the WSSM-ECT Ops Manual (Viewable in a
browser)
EmComm
links and
documents:
Additional links and
resources:
After Action Reviews
Click
the links below to download After Action Reviews of some of our recent
exercises and on-air activities:
Maine Packet Network
The
WSSM-ECT is proud to support the
Maine
Packet Network, which is a
consortium of individual amateur radio packet nodes affiliated with
county-level Emergency Management Agencies throughout the State of
Maine.
The primary objective of the network is to interconnect these
agencies with each other, MEMA, hospitals, Red Cross, and others, to
facilitate the exchange of accurate and concise public health and
safety information.
Click here for more information on
the Maine Packet Network.
Directions
to
the CCEMA
Bunker
