York Region EmComm Home | General Information| Local Information |Contact Us | Frequencies This website is maintained by York Region EmComm (EMergency COMMunications). We are a volunteer organization of federally licensed radio operators who support York Region’s Department of Emergency Management and York Region’s municipalities Emergency Operations Centres with backup communications services.

NEWS (updated 2010-09-05) "Lead, Follow, or get out of my way " Unknown RICHMOND HILL FIRE (2010-09-01) The project to refurbish and provide operating support to Richmond Hill “Command 8-0” is continuing, abet, slowly. Deputy Fire Chief Dawson hopes to have the draft agreement approved by the fire fighters association by 2010-Sep-10. Our objective is to have EmComm operators already onsite, when emergencies are beginning to expand. That will give us the ability to provide emergency managers with an understanding of our abilities, from first hand experience. In return for that opportunity, we will maintain the vehicle, and provide support services to fire fighters. TOWN OF MARKHAM (2010-09-03) After a PC motherboard failure in he Winlink PC, Markham I.T. showed their commitment to this project by replacing the PC in under an hour. Thanks to Nick Samfira for such incredible technical support. Markham’s new EOC project is underway. A permanent, self supporting emergency operations centre (EOC) will be located in Markham. The new EOC will be a state-of-the-art facility with dedicated computers, telecommunications systems, video surveillance, GIS mapping, and a backup diesel powered generator. The vendor has been chosen, and the project kick off meeting is expected soon. We will be moving the existing voice cross band repeater, and Winlink systems to the 8100 Warden location by late 2010. We will have a desk in the Communications Room, adjacent to the EOC Operations Room, shown which is shown in the picture above. GIRL GUIDES 100th ANNIVERSARY (2010-05-15) Working with Toronto EmComm, we supported the GOTA station and helped Canadian Armed Forces 709 Communications Regt. with the display. Details at http://www.emergencyradio.ca/guides100.html Special thanks to VA3KU Jim Taylor for the use of his server to host this website.

OFFICIAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION Provincial York Region Weather YORK REGION York Region is located in Ontario, Canada, and is directly north of Toronto. It covers the territory between Toronto and Lake Simcoe. With a population of almost 1 million people, and an area of 1775 Km^2(690 mi^2), it is composed of nine cities and towns. What Is EmComm? Members of the York Region EmComm group are federally licensed radio operators who volunteer their time to provide York Region’s municipal and regional governments with backup radio communications. Our focus is to staff York Region government Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), Reception centres and Shelters with dedicated and professional radio operators. Comparing this to the American model, we are equivalent to their RACES groups. York Region EmComm is responsible for amateur radio sites at Region of York (VA3YEM), Town of Georgina (VA3CTO), and Town of Markham (VA3MEO). These sites include base stations, and mobile equipment. All sites have both voice and Winlink (email) facilities. We are not associated with any amateur radio club, or RAC. We report to the local government, thru the legal authority of the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC). Ø We work with independent amateur radio operators and ARES to provide an extended communications capacity to the government. Ø We are authorized to use the emblem of the York Region Emergency Management department. Ø York Region EmComm provides communications to the provincial government via EMO ARES. Effective May 2009, York EmComm has an automatic mutual aid agreement with Durham ARES. This means that should there be an emergency in either region, that does not affect the other region, then ARES and EmComm members will move to aid the declared emergency region. WHO SHOULD JOIN? Any licensed ham radio operator is welcomed to be a full EmComm member. We would also welcome people with no radio license, as associate members. Training will be provided for all members. EmComm members should be prepared to spend a minimum of three hours per month on personal training, meetings, equipment maintenance or exercises. EmComm members do not have to own personal radios. York Region and some municipalities do have radios that we can use for voice, packet, and Winlink duty. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS York EmComm encourages everyone to be prepared for an emergency. This is especially important for EmComm members, because you can’t help others if you own family is in need. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. If a disaster happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in desperate need. By taking a few simple steps today, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies; anytime, anywhere. Use this guide to create your own emergency plan.  There’s a reason we have exercises. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle