Who is WCEC?
Wood County Emergency Communications Inc. (WCEC) is an all volunteer Non-Profit organization, created to provide back-up and overload communications to all Public Safety agencies in Wood County, West Virginia and the surrounding counties in WV and OH. Read more in our Mission Statement to see what we do. For more information on Emergency Communicators and Amateur Radio read the "Who Are We?" article.
The organization's Bylaws are available in Adobe pdf format by downloading them here. You can also read the WCEC Operation plan.
New Amateur Repeater available
In the Parkersburg, WV area we have a new 440 MHz repeater available for amateur use. It has good coverage of Parkersburg and surrounding areas, and great coverage of Marietta, OH and up into Newport, OH.
The frequency is 444.925+ (input is 449.925) The PL tone is 146.2, it's a fully open repeater for everyone to use.
WCEC Adapts new Office Complex at Regional Airport
Thanks to the generosity of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority, plus a generous grant from the Wood County Commission WCEC will soon begin remodeling their new office complex at the Airport. Follow their progress at WV8DOC's website.
A Great Success, Pictures are available in our Photo Gallery.
Capabilities:
- Mobile communications command center setup
- Skywarn operating under the National Weather Service
- Digital Communications statewide via D.A.R.E.N.
- Voice Communications via handheld and mobile radio and in house wired and wireless telephone systems.
- Both fixed and mobile voice repeater setups available.
- Satellite internet and phone service
- Long range WIFI internet available at site
FEMA Administrator Calls Amateur Radio “The Last Line of Defense”
In an FCC forum on earthquake communications preparedness, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate described the Amateur Radio operator as “the ultimate backup, the originators of what we call social media.”
The forum -- held May 3 at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC -- brought together officials from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), FEMA, the FCC and the private sector.
Administrator Fugate and FCC Bureau of Public Safety and Homeland Security Chief Jamie Barnett gave the opening remarks. Read the full article here.
Amateur Radio Community
(Source: American Radio Relay League)
Considering the requirement for emergency communications during a major disaster, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the variety of roles performed by amateur radio operations. In a 3 May forum on earthquake communications preparedness, discussed in a news release by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate described the amateur radio operator as “the ultimate backup.” He explained that amateur radio volunteers use their own time and resources to help get the word out in the critical first hours of a disaster.
There are two groups of volunteer radio operators that provide assistance during an emergency: Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). RACES operators, who are registered with state and local governments, are activated after an emergency declaration. They usually operate from state emergency operations centers. ARES members provide emergency communications before an emergency has been officially declared. Many radio operators participate in both organizations.
During the communications forum, Administrator Fugate explained that there is a tendency to dismiss the crucial role of amateur radio operations. To ensure essential communications when disaster occurs, particularly when wired and wireless systems fail, he recommended the inclusion of the amateur radio community in emergency communications plans. He stated: “Amateur radio oftentimes is our last line of defense.”
See the WJHG article for a recent example of how amateur radio operators have become capability multipliers during local emergencies.
Michael Barrick, CFI, FPSS, CCPM
Assistant State Fire Marshal
Program Manager
WV State Fire Marshal's Office
1207 Quarrier Street, 2nd Fl
Charleston, WV 25301
Sub Menu
Upcoming Activities
- WCEC Business Meeting
7:00 PM, January 3, 2012 at the Lubeck Community Center, Lubeck, WV. This will be our annual Christmas Party.
Download the Minutes of the previous Meetings here. - ARES Registration
If you are interested in registering with ARES in the Wood/Washington County area, contact Ken Harris. Blank forms are available in the training section. - RACES Application
If you are a member of WCEC and wish to become a RACES member check out the associated documents in the training section.
Support WCEC
Wood County Emergency Communications is a Non Profit Organization Supported Entirely by Public and Private Donations! Help Support Amateur Radio Emergency Communications in Wood County, West Virginia and the surrounding area.
Make a secure online donations
National Homeland Security Knowledge base
The 2011-2012 ARRL Repeater Directory now available
Choose the traditional Pocket-sized directory or the easy-to-read Desktop Edition...or BOTH! The best directory of frequencies for the thousands of repeaters around the country. An important tool every ham should have! Available in the ARRL Store.
TravelPlus Mobile GPS for your Garmin Nüvi
Now Connecting Amateur Radio with your Garmin Nüvi GPS!
Locate Open ham radio repeaters as you travel in the US and Canada.--Its like having the power of The ARRL Repeater Directory on your GARMIN Nüvi GPS!
Repeater data includes all applicable Location, Output, Offset / Input, CTCSS Tone, Node, and Call Sign data. GPS POI listing shows approximate distance to Location name and general direction.
Check it out in the ARRL Store.
US Amateur Radio Bands
The ARRL has published new Frequency Allocation charts for the
Amateur bands. Available in Color and Black an White, they may be
downloaded and printed from their website. These print nicely on
regular 8½ X 11 Paper.
US Amateur Frequency Chart
