Woodinville Emergency
Communications Team
About the WECT Volunteer Team
Vision Statement
The Woodinville Emergency Communication Team (WECT) is comprised of organized, trained, qualified, and credentialed Amateur Radio operators who augment and support vital communications on behalf of the public through partner agencies and organizations during emergencies and disasters. WECT, through its volunteer radio communicators, strives to be an effective partner in emergency and disaster response, providing public service partners at all levels with radio communications expertise and capability.
The Team
WECT was re-established in August 2018. It is affiliated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), which is part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). WECT Members hold FCC amateur radio licenses.
WECT provides the City of Woodinville, WA, and the surrounding Woodinville Fire District, with an independent, volunteer-supported communications system to supplement the Fire Department and other City communications systems, during disasters or for local events.
WECT is activated by the Woodinville Emergency Operations Center for local or regional incidents requiring additional communications capability. While communications within the Woodinville Fire District have priority, WECT also provides communications with other cities, counties, and state agencies.
WECT runs short tests of its network on most Monday evenings.
WECT is an all volunteer, community service organization that supports the Woodinville Fire Districtand and may be further activated under provisions of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 118-04 – Emergency Worker Program – concerning Communications Emergency Workers.
Membership is open to individuals with an interest in providing vital emergency communications support and have an FCC Amateur Radio License at the Technician level or higher. Members must be registered as City Volunteer by submit to a background check, and be registered as Washington State Emergency Workers.
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Interested in joining WECT?
​Contact the WECT team directly for more information by using our contact form. Come to a meeting and connect with the WECT leadership, know our team and then to begin the process to become a City of Woodinville Volunteer by using the on-line application.
E-mail the completed form to us at wect.ares@gmail.com
Our Philosophy
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Promoting and enhancing the activities of the ARES for the benefit of the public.
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Establish and maintain a good working relationship with local and state government officials.
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Develop detailed local operational communications plans
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Establish a local communications network
Training Requirements
Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in the WECT ARES. Training is required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
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