DRAFT - Revised 29 October 2026
(This document is currently under revision)
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to formalize the plan for activation of amateur radio to assist with a declared emergency, with particular focus on emergency telecommunications to served agencies. It will outline the background, activation and scope of the IRG response in an emergency.
Part of this document will outline the plans and procedures for activation, along with sections which list the locations and people involved. It is important that both components be shared and updated: a list is not a plan, and a plan is no good without a list.
This project is to update the plan and build the list. People will be more comfortable with volunteering to help if they know what is expected, and how they can help. Simulated exercises will help us refine the plans.
It should be noted that while training is optional, it is available through NBEMO and others. Some can be done at your own pace at home, others are on-line or workshop-based. Some resources are listed later in this document.
Background
Amateur radio operators can provide valuable public services in times of emergency by working with served agencies. Being a provincial organization, the International Repeater Group ("IRG") has a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization ("NBEMO") to help with emergency communication services [Link to come]. IRG also works closely with the Radio Communications Branch of NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure ("RadCom"), which maintains the repeater network. Most Emergency Operation Centres ("EOC") have amateur radio equipment installed.
The IRG also has similar agreements with Department of Health, and Horizon and Vitalité health networks [Links to come]. The IRG also has formal and informal relations with other agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada and the ARRL Maine Section ARES. [Links to come]
Some municipalities also incorporate amateur radio in their emergency plans. In these cases, they may have a direct relationship with a local amateur radio club ("Local ARC") if one exists.
In most cases, an activation of an emergency plan by any of the above served agencies will also involve NBEMO to some degree, and thus involve the IRG. The MOU's outline how the parties will work together, reporting relationships, reimbursement of expenses, and other administrative matters. To meet the goals, we need to be ready to do our part.
Radio Amateurs of Canada has recently changed the former ARES structure to become the Auxiliary Communication Service (AuxComm). Since the nature of our province-wide EMO and IRG is different than many other jurisdictions, our plan will also differ from other jurisdictions in some respects, but the goal is the same: to provide emergency communications to served agencies as our ability allows.
Role of the IRG
As mentioned above, our primary role during an emergency is to provide back-up communication services. Qualified amateur radio operators are licensed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and authorized to use equipment with higher power and various frequencies to suit the condition, distance and topography. When normal means of communication are interrupted, amateurs can quickly provide point-to-point communications at long distance to assist with an emergency response until comms are restored.
NBEMO has formulated its own plans and procedures for dealing with emergencies, and has a specific plan for how it will make use of amateur radio services. An Emergency Measures Communication Group ("EMCG") is recognized in their plans, but has not been defined [Link to: Activation of Amateur Radio Operators (2026); and NB EMO Regional Emergency Response Plan (2016) ].
To fill this need, amateurs who are identified and listed in any role to any EOC in this plan will be considered to be members of the Emergency Management Communications Group (EMCG). And to clarify, in time of emergency, any amateur will be encouraged to participate, whether or not they are members of IRG, EMCG, RAC, or any club.
Coordination
IRG and NBEMO: At present, the IRG Executive is the principal contact with NBEMO. At some future point, it may be desirable to appoint a person(s) as member on Provincial Emergency Activation Committee ("PEAC") at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre ("PEOC") in Fredericton, and recruit operators for the PEOC. The IRG will work with the Fredericton Amateur Radio Club towards this.
NBEMO Regions: The IRG will, in consultation with local EMO coordinators and the local ARC if applicable, assign an EMCG Coordinator (and one or more alternates) to be the lead operator for each EMO Region and Regional Emergency Operation Centre ("REOC)". In general, their duties will be to: assist in recruitment of other operators; maintain up-to-date contact lists; periodic testing of EOC equipment; participate in exercises and activations as a member of the Regional Emergency Activation Committee ("REAC"); and suggest updates to this plan. [Link to detailed EMCG Coordinator duties]
Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station: The NBEMO also maintains the Point Lepreau Off-Site Emergency Operation Centre at St. George in conjunction with NB Power. The PLNGS Off-Site EOC will have an assigned EMCG coordinator.
Department of Health ("DOH") and health facilities: The DOH has its own EOC in Fredericton, and Horizon and Vitalité have EOC's at various facilities. A list of the EOC's equipped with amateur radio equipment is part of this plan. [Link to follow] Each of these EOC's will have an assigned EMCG Coordinator.
Municipal or Other: While every municipality is required to have an emergency plan, not all incorporate amateur radio as part of their planning. Those which do may have arrangements through a local amateur radio club, if one exists. In most cases, an emergency in a municipality will trigger the NBEMO Regional and Provincial EOC to activate, and this IRG plan will be involved at those levels. IRG repeaters may be utilized in emergencies outside but near our borders (Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Québec).
Another role in which we may assist is at the site of an emergency or a shelter, if required. For example, during a wildfire, RadCom staff may need help in distributing TMR radios on-site and showing new users how to properly use a radio. Again, do not self-deploy. Protocols and training are still being developed on this.
It is important to know that during almost all activations, including EOC exercises, meals are provided to participants and in many cases, travel and other expenses may be reimbursed depending on the circumstances.
[Still to come: Organizational Chart to show relationships to served agencies]
Activation Protocol (General guidelines)
Every emergency is different. Some will not involve telecommunication disruptions at all. Some may develop into comms disruptions as they go on. For example, a flood of the Wolastoq closing some roads may not knock out telephones, but if power fails and a telecom cannot get fuel or generators to a critical site, comms may be disrupted. So in any emergency, our goal is to be proactive and ensure there is always a "back up" ready if and when regular comms fail. A Regional EOC needs a method to contact the Provincial EOC or other critical locations immediately during any emergency, or vice versa.
As previously mentioned, the Regional EMO Coordinator (REMC) will make contact with the designated EMCG Coordinator or alternate if they wish them to attend at the EOC. Do not self-deploy. If regular comms are out, the REMC may dispatch someone to your residence if need be to inform you of the need to deploy.
If it is unsafe for you, or you are not able to deploy, advise your REMC immediately, and agree on next steps (i.e. you or the REMC will contact and confirm your alternate will deploy).
When you arrive at the EOC, or as you travel to it, the first priority is to establish communication with the PEOC in Fredericton via the IRG system for any updates or to pass along any messages related to the emergency.
Once at the EOC, determine the regular contact interval with the PEOC, take part in the situational awareness briefings, call for an assistant operator to join you, and plan for relief shifts to take over if the activation will be more than a few hours. In some events or exercises, there may be hours of little or no activity, but be prepared and do things early, in case the emergency ramps up and things get busy. It's a good time to make sure forms and logs are ready, the phone works, determine amateurs who might be listening from home, etc. [Link to come: protocols when deployed to an EOC].
Also, remember that your personal health and safety comes first. Take frequent breaks -- having an assistant present is essential to take over if needed, to pass messages (especially if the radio room is separate from the main EOC area) or fetch supplies.
Participation in an emergency is not limited to those at an EOC or other locations. Those at home can assist by contacting others on alternate frequencies or by phone as required, passing messages, or monitoring for those looking for help in an emergency.
Very important: Do not transmit any sensitive or unverified information unless directed by the person in charge of the EOC. If in doubt about something, confirm it with the REMC. Our frequencies are easily heard by the general public -- any rumours you say on the air (false or true) will instantly appear on social media by those listeners, causing problems. NBEMO will communicate with the public about the emergency as required. That is not our function. In particular, some MOUs have specific confidentiality provisions. If you do use the radio for deployment of helpers, you can fill them in on any sensitive need-to-know details via telephone or email or during the hand-over briefing.
(Note that in many NBEMO documents refer to GNB or EMO Communications - this will usually mean "public communications" (i.e. the handling of public relations or media releases, not EMCG or radio communications).
During emergency exercises, always start your transmission with "Exercise, exercise, exercise..." so that any simulated information you are giving will not prompt alarm or unintended actions. If a real emergency breaks out during an exercise, use the term, "No duff" and state the emergency.
All activities and contacts must be documented using standard forms and logs as used by the PEOC or REOC (such as ICS 213, 214 or 309).
These are only highlights of your duties and activation protocols, more will be provided [Link to follow].
Training
There is free training available to help you with all of this. NBEMO has some available that you can do on-line, at your own pace, or in person. They offer courses in various areas in both languages:
https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/laws-safety/emergency-preparedness-alerts/nbemo-training.html
If resources permit and demand warrants it, the IRG may implement an on-line workshop to assist in orientation for members of the Emergency Measures Communications Group (EMCG).
Appendices [Links to be added as available]
Organizational Chart - IRG and Served Agencies in an Emergency
Province of New Brunswick - Emergency Measures Plan (Revised June 2017)
NB EMO - Regional Emergency Coordinators and EOC information
Emergency Measures Communication Group (Coordinators, Alternates and Operators)
Department of Health and Health Facility Information and Contact List
Sample Activation Protocols for Various Emergencies
NBEMO Activation Plan for Amateur Radio Operators
Checklist and Protocols at an EOC
Incident Command System (ICS) Forms - ICS Canada
MOU between IRG & NBEMO and NB RadCom
MOU between IRG & NB Department of Health
MOU between IRG & Horizon Health Network
MOU between IRG & Réseau de santé Vitalité
MOU between IRG & ARRL Maine Section ARES