Note: In Ontario the Simulated Emergency Test will be held on Saturday, October 8 but at Emergency Operations Centres that are located in Municipal offices, that can’t get access on the weekend, the SET will also be held on Wednesday, October 5.
This nationwide exercise is the chance to test your emergency operating skills and the readiness of your communications equipment and accessories in an emergency-like deployment.
RAC Field Organization Leaders at the Section and local levels, along with many other volunteers who are active in public service and emergency communications, are developing simulated emergency scenarios in consultation with served agencies.
To find out how you can step up and be a part of the local or Section-level activities, contact your Section Manager. You can find contact information for all RAC Section Managers on page 4 of any issue of The Canadian Amateur.
Additional contact information may also be found on the RAC website.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) and members of the RAC Field Organization will participate and practise emergency operation plans, nets and procedures.
The RAC Simulated Emergency Test is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Amateur Radio.
Community and public service agency officials will learn first-hand by taking a role in the SET and by providing an objective evaluation afterwards from their perspective. Have designated stations originate messages on behalf of served agencies. Test messages may be sent simulating requests for supplies. Simulated emergency messages (just like real emergency messages) should be signed by an authorized official.
Formulate your plans around a man-made or natural simulated disaster. Possible scenes could be: a flood; a serious fire; a severe ice storm; a missing person; a serious accident (automobile, bus, aircraft); a broken gas line; or any other imaginable disaster. Elaborate on the situation by developing a scenario to be implemented during the SET.
In consideration of local and Section-wide schedules with agencies and many others, RAC Field Organization Leaders have the option of conducting their local or Section-wide SET on another weekend in the fall season. Check with your local RAC Field Organization leadership for the exact date in your particular area. Your help is needed and the RAC SET is a great way to get involved in emergency communications.
For more information on guidelines, preparing and reporting for a SET, forms for RAC Field Leaders are posted on the RAC website at: https://www.rac.ca/welcome/simulated-emergency-test/