CANWARN
CANWARN is a system of trained spotters/chasers using VHF Ham Radio to communicate sightings during sever weather events to the local Environment Canada weather office. It is based on the US version called SKYWARN.
The RCTO (Toronto) Canwarn region extends from the Metro Toronto area west to approximately Hamilton/Guelph, North to include Georgan Bay, Collingwood, Parry Sound, Orillia, Barrie, and East over to Lindsay. There are also CANWARN groups in Windsor, Sarnia, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Niagara, and in the Cobourg, Peterborough, Kingston area.
For licensed hams who want to participate you will basically need a 2m rig and should attend one of the local CANWARN training session held every spring. At the training session, you will be instructed on what to look for during a severe weather event, and you will be briefed on the radio net protocol. You will also get a CANWARN map atlas so you can provide the net control station with your co-ordinates.
For others who want to listen to CANWARN radio operations, you will need a scanner that is capable of tuning the 144-148 Mhz VHF ham band. Idealy, your scanner should also be able to cover the 440-450 Mhz UHF ham band.
In the Toronto area, listen to VE3ULR on 442.025. This is the HUB of the CANWARN system for South Central Ontario, operating out of the Toronto Weather Office. Listen for the "CANWARN Net Control" Station with the callsign VE3YZW. 442.025 is located near Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto so you may not be able to hear it depending on your location. Also, remember, it will only be active with CANWARN traffic if a severe weather event exists.
Canwarn nets operate under three (probably self evident) states of alert:
Condition green: Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect. This is the basic state when the net is in operation and taking various weather reports from spotters. The frequency is available for regular traffic but conversations should be kept brief so the Net Controller or spotters can break in if new information becomes available. This is the time to ask "silly" questions.
Condition yellow: Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Watch in effect. This is an alerted state of the net with the NCS only requesting and receiving specific reports from certain spotters such as Hail larger than marble sized; damaging winds; wall clouds; funnel clouds or any other unusual weather events. The frequency is under Net Control.
Condition red: Tornado Warning in effect. This is the highest state of alert, usually prompted by confirmed sightings of active wall clouds or funnels. No general radio traffic is allowed on the frequency under condition Red. Only reports of wall clouds, funnel clouds, or tornados are accepted by net control.
More information on net operating procedures can be found here in this excerpt from the Canwarn Guide.
For more information, please visit Environment Canada - CANWARN.
Emergency Management Ontario - E.M.O.
Emergency Management Ontario (E.M.O.) is a branch of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Through effective partnerships, EMO will lead the coordination, development and implementation of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery strategies to maximize the safety and security of Ontarians.
The Emergency Management Act requires all provincial government ministries to establish a risk-based emergency management program. As the largest and most diverse ministry in the provincial government, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is committed to ensuring that Ontario's communities are supported and protected by law enforcement and public safety systems that are safe, secure, effective, efficient and accountable. As part of the emergency management program, we have developed an Emergency Response Plan and Business Continuity Plan.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service - A.R.E.S.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (A.R.E.S.) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the A.R.E.S. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because A.R.E.S. is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership.
For more information, please visit E.M.O. Amateur Radio Emergency Services Group or visit A.R.E.S. Ontario (Amateur Radio Emergency Service - Ontario Section).
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