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MISSION STATEMENT: To be "communicators", to respond in an emergency with communications between various agencies that may be without their own communications systems or network in the event of an emergency such as a natural disaster.
"Good evening to all stations listening and welcome to the Surrey Emergency Program Amateur Radio Net."
That is what you would hear if you were to tune in to our weekly net.
SEPAR holds a net every Tuesday evening at 19:30 hours (7:30 p.m.) on the frequency of 146.550 MHz simplex. The controlled net is to inform its members of upcoming items such as disaster exercises and training programs or announcements such as the flood situation.
Not only is the net used to announce upcoming events but also provide the opportunity to conduct radio location and signal checks from various areas in Surrey. Check-ins come from portable handheld radios, mobile car radios, and base station equipment. We occasionally hear from adjacent districts on the net as well.
All licensed Amateurs are invited to check in and we encourage interested members of the community to listen in on their scanners.
What does SEPAR actually do?
SEPAR volunteers are trained radio operators willing to take direction and help out when needed in an event. The organization falls under the direction and guidance of the Surrey Emergency Program.SEPAR members would be called out at the request of the Emergency Coordinator or the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP). Volunteer callout is done in a number of ways including paging, telephone and, of course, Amateur Radio.
SEPAR provides the station equipment and training.
You get the satisfaction of doing your part in an emergency.
In the event of a natural disaster it is very probable that existing communications would be severely degradated or even knocked out entirely. As a part of Surrey's Emergency Plan, SEPAR has been developed to be the "link" between the responding agencies, government department and support teams.
All of these agencies will need to be in contact with each other and the Field Response Centre(s), both at the disaster site and at area Operations Centres.
Over a period of time, SEPAR has acquired various pieces of equipment. With the help of the Surrey Emergency Program and Emergency Social Services we have been able to equip 6 VHF stations in Primary Reception Centres strategically placed throughout the City. In conjunction with the pre-established stations, SEPAR has a number of mobile (or portable) radio stations that can be placed in a variety of response locations.
Since the volume of traffic, outgoing and incoming, can be heavy and lengthly in nature, SEPAR also has at its disposal data communications using an already established "packet network". And, yes, Morse Code too!
How do I join? Who do I call?
SEPAR volunteer requirements:
- Must be 16 yrs. of age - for applicants aged 16-18 yrs, parental/guardian consent is required.
- Must complete a consent for criminal records search and personally take it to the Surrey RCMP. (there is no charge for this search.)
- If you have a drivers license you must provide a driving record, available from the Motor Vehicle Branch.
- Complete a PEP enrollment form. (Note: The PEP card that you receive is valid for five years.)
Visit our webpage at http://separ.comm.sfu.ca/
For more Information contact:
SEPAR Amateur Radio Coordinator
Kelvin Hall, VA7KPH
separ.mail@gmail.com
Surrey Emergency Program
Jocelyne Colbert
604-543-6795
Get involved, be there when the community needs you!