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Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group |
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(You can find the “official” QCECG web page at https://www.queencreekaz.gov/government/fire-medical/emergency-communications-group) If you are a licensed ham radio operator and would like to learn more about our Group, send an email noting your interest to ecg@queencreekaz.gov. Background - Queen Creek Disaster Management and Response Plan In 2009, the Town of Queen Creek sought to create a Disaster Response Plan. A Disaster Management Committee was formed and appointed by the Town Council. This Committee formulated a plan that included the use of citizen communicators to provide communications support to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), regional and district command centers, shelters, and field response teams. Those communicators would be recruited citizens that were subsequently trained and licensed as ham radio operators. Additional training, provided by experienced ham radio operators, resulted in proficiency with emergency communications, known as EmComm. The resulting collection of trained and licensed volunteers, along with the experienced ham radio operators, was organized in 2011 as the Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group or QCECG. QCECG provides EmComm communicators for the Town’s EOC, district command/shelters, and the field response teams that provide medical, recon, and shelter services. QCECG falls under the Emergency Management Department and is directly managed by the QC Emergency Manager, Joe LaFortune. QCECG leverages its communications assets for non-emergency events as well such as emergency preparedness fairs, Spring Into Queen Creek, Trunk or Treat, Holiday Festival & Parade, etc.. Today - The QCECG has achieved the following: Trained and licensed approximately 180 volunteer communicators Installed two radio repeater systems for Town use Acquired radios, antennas, and gear to equip “go-bags” for each district command and shelter building Conducts weekly training “net” over the air Holds monthly meetings for the Group to provide on-going training and skill development Provides communications support for Town events such as Spring Into Queen Creek and Trunk or Treat Drills regularly to simulate execution of Town’s Disaster Management and Response Plan. Regularly participates in national and worldwide amateur radio field exercises Developed its own FCC ham license training and testing corps Utilizes NIMS and ICS training and certification ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We thank Bruce Barnes, KF6EZT, for his many contributions to the Disaster Management Committee in defining, creating, and launching the Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group. We also thank Dennis Lawrence, KF7RYX, for his many years of leadership, service, and expertise that helped QCECG gain its reputation as a benchmark in community emergency communications. We also thank Joe Sammartino—N2QOJ, Ron Earl—N7RWE (SK), and Court Hilton—KG7VF, for their many years of leadership, service, and expertise that helped QCECG gain its reputation as a benchmark in community emergency communications. For more information regarding the Town’s emergency management program, contact Joe LaFortune, Town of Queen Creek, Emergency Manager at 480-358-3502 or Joe.Lafortune@queencreekaz.gov. For more information regarding the Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group and membership, please ecg@queencreekaz.gov or contact any of the folks listed below. https://www.queencreekaz.gov/government/fire-medical/emergency-communications-group
Mike Fernandez, N7MJF, Co-Leader Rob Foth, KE6YGF, Co-Leader QCECG meetings are on the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM. There are five possible locations we will be using for our meetings over the next year or two: Currently, they are: (1) Queen Creek Library Annex, Zane Grey Community Room, 21802 South Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142— https://tinyurl.com/ZaneGreyMTG (2) Community Chambers at the new Queen Creek Police Building located at 20727 Civic Parkway, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 — https://tinyurl.com/QCPDChambers (3) Historic Town Hall (Our Original Meeting Location) at 22350 S Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 — http://tinyurl.com/QCChambers (4) Municipal Services Building at 22358 S. Ellsworth Road (5) Queen Creek Library Recreation Annex, 21802 South Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142— Southeast Entrance Weekly On-Air Training Net—Ocotillo Repeater—Every Thursday (except second Thursday of the month) at 8 PM, 449.325 MHz, Negative Shift of 5 MHz, CTCSS (TX) Encode 100 Hz . All licensed amateur radio operators are welcome. Queen Creek Repeater—449.475 MHz Encode CTCSS 136.5 Hz (Analog/Digital—C4FM System Fusion—NOT Wires-X) Navigate this link to learn how to obtain your FCC Amateur Radio Technician Class license. © 2018 - 2026 QCECG |
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Regarding emergency communications during a community or family crisis…..“If you have not chosen Ham Radio first, in the end, it will make not no difference what you have chosen instead.” Joseph A. Sammartino, N2QOJ 2023 |
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QCECG Net Recordings Thanks to Thomas, K7THJ, for capturing this audio and edited by Joe, N2QOJ. (1) “When the Lights Go Out”, Part 1, 3-3-2025 (2) “When the Lights Go Out”, Part 2, 3-10-2025 (3) “When the Lights Go Out”, Part 3, 3-17-2025 (4) “When the Lights Go Out”, Part 4, 3-24-2025 Bonus: “When the Lights Go Out”, Complete Series in one file. |