DisasterNet BC Society - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
April 17, 2025
Version: 3
Overview
What is the Role of DisasterNet BC Society
DisasterNet BC Society is an independent, resilient, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing disaster communications across British Columbia. It operates a member-driven high-frequency (HF) radio network on licensed commercial frequencies, providing communities with resilient communication capabilities during disasters. This network complements existing emergency communication systems without replacing them. Membership is entirely voluntary and aims to bolster community preparedness and connectivity.
Key Points:
- Independent and Not-for-Profit: DisasterNet BC Society operates independently and is neither a government initiative nor a for-profit organization.
- No EMCR Affiliation: The Society is not affiliated with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) or any other organization.
- Licensed Commercial HF Frequencies: The Society's network utilizes its own licensed and internationally coordinated commercial HF frequencies, ensuring dedicated and reliable communication channels for its members.
- Complementary Service: It offers additional communication support and does not replace or compete with existing emergency communication arrangements.
- Voluntary Membership: Communities choose to join based on their specific needs and interests in enhancing disaster communication resilience.
General Information
What is DisasterNet BC Society?
DisasterNet BC Society is an incorporated not-for-profit and a collaborative, membership-based, non-governmental organization that facilitates access to licensed commercial high-frequency (HF) radio frequencies for communities across British Columbia. These frequencies, assigned by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), enable member communities to establish independent communication capabilities when conventional systems, such as the Internet, cellular, or satellite networks, fail. It is worth noting that DisasterNet BC is not a centralized communications provider or service. We do not sell radio equipment; all equipment is sourced from independent third-party suppliers, and the Society receives no financial benefit from these transactions.
Who can join DisasterNet BC?
DisasterNet BC Society membership is available to local governments, First Nations communities, and regional or provincial emergency management organizations involved in disaster preparedness and response. The Society is intended for organizations rather than individuals, and is especially relevant to those without embedded amateur radio capability seeking a resilient last-resort communications solution.
Is DisasterNet BC Society a for-profit organization?
No. DisasterNet BC Society is a registered, incorporated not-for-profit and non-governmental organization in British Columbia. It aims to enhance public safety and disaster resilience by facilitating community-based communications planning and preparedness. The Society is mission-driven, focusing on strengthening last-resort communications capacity for communities across the province.
Licensing & Regulatory
Who is ISED
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is a federal department responsible for assigning, managing, and regulating the radio spectrum in Canada.
What types of radio frequencies does DisasterNet BC Society use?
DisasterNet BC Society operates on commercial High-Frequency (HF) radio frequencies licensed by ISED. These frequencies are reserved exclusively for Society members and are governed by strict operational protocols that ensure coordinated and secure disaster communication.
What does the term "commercial" mean for radio frequencies?
In the context of DisasterNet BC Society, the term “commercial” refers to a licensing classification used by ISED. This term does not imply that DisasterNet BC is a for-profit organization. Instead, it reflects the regulatory category of the radio spectrum, similar to how fire, police, and ambulance services operate on commercially licensed frequencies to ensure reliable access during emergencies.
To maintain this access, member communities pay a modest annual station license fee to ISED, which allows them to legally operate their HF equipment on these exclusive channels to support disaster preparedness.
How secure are DisasterNet BC Society communications?
DisasterNet BC Society communications are conducted through analog radio transmissions. Although these frequencies are exclusively assigned and free from interference, they are not currently encrypted. As the network develops and more stations become operational, we will implement encryption and additional feature enhancements. This phased approach ensures that communities, particularly those without embedded radio expertise, can establish basic operational proficiency before introducing further complexities.
Encryption in radio communications means converting spoken messages into a coded format before transmission, ensuring that only intended recipients with the correct decryption key can understand them. This process protects sensitive information from being intercepted or understood by unauthorized listeners during disaster response.
What distinguishes DisasterNet BC Society from amateur radio networks?
DisasterNet BC Society operates on licensed commercial HF radio frequencies exclusively assigned by ISED.
By contrast, amateur radio networks operate within a shared public radio spectrum, where frequency use is based on a first-come, first-served model. This does not reflect a lack of capability—amateur radio plays a vital role in disaster communications across the province. However, in the context of Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) planning, amateur operators must incorporate primary and alternate frequencies into their official communications plans, so that if their preferred channel is already in use during a disaster call-out, operations can continue seamlessly on a pre-designated alternative. Sharing these plans with mutual radio partners is essential.
Both systems serve essential purposes. DisasterNet BC offers a dedicated platform for communities without embedded amateur radio capacity, while amateur networks provide critical support where licensed operators are available.
Membership and Eligibility
How can a community or organization join DisasterNet BC Society?
DisasterNet BC Society membership is only available to communities, not individuals, organizations, agencies or clubs. This includes municipalities, regional districts, First Nations governments, and other community-level governing bodies that require access to reliable, last-resort HF radio communications.
To join the Society and gain access to its licensed commercial frequencies, each prospective community must follow the steps below:
- Submit a Membership Application Form: Each community seeking to join must submit a completed membership application form. The Society Board reviews applications at its next scheduled meeting. [Membership Application form]
- Approval and Invoicing: Once the applicant community is approved for membership, the Society Secretary will issue an invoice for the $200 annual membership fee.
- Request Letters of Authority (LOA): After payment, the community must email the frequency holder to request a Letter of Authority for each planned station location. The contact email address will be provided to each applicant at the relevant stage of the process.
- Apply to ISED: Attach the Letter of Authority to the corresponding station license application submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
- Wait for License Processing: ISED typically takes about 7 weeks to process the application. The applicable licensing fee must be paid before issuance.
- Receive Station License: ISED will issue your station license once approved and paid, usually within five working days of payment.
This process ensures that each member community has legitimate, exclusive access to DisasterNet BC Society’s radio frequencies, which comply with federal spectrum regulations.
Who manages DisasterNet BC Society operations?
DisasterNet BC Society is governed and managed by its Board of Directors, Directors at Large, and Technical Committee members. These individuals are all experienced professionals with backgrounds in specialized radio communications, network operations, and disaster response. Many have extensive experience operating amateur radio on HF.
Some members bring trade-level expertise, having worked extensively in commercial radio systems, while others have hands-on experience operating within Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) radio environments. This combination of technical depth and practical emergency management expertise ensures that the Society is well-equipped to oversee its operations, support member communities, and adapt its services to meet emerging needs.
All operational decisions are guided by the Society’s mandate to deliver reliable, last-resort communications for communities across British Columbia.
Is DisasterNet BC Society inclusive of First Nations communities?
Absolutely. First Nations communities are always welcome at our table.
DisasterNet BC Society is open to all communities across British Columbia, including First Nations governments and communities. We recognize the essential leadership that First Nations bring to emergency preparedness, response, and community resilience, particularly in remote and rural regions.
Membership in the Society is built on values of respect, partnership, and mutual support. We actively encourage First Nations communities to become members, and we are committed to supporting their access to reliable, last-resort HF radio communications as part of a province-wide safety net.
Whether your community seeks to strengthen existing capabilities or develop a new communications fallback plan, the DisasterNet BC Society welcomes, respects, and supports you.
Equipment, Operations and Technical Information
What equipment does DisasterNet BC Society use for its communications network?
After extensive evaluation of available commercial HF radio systems, DisasterNet BC Society has adopted the Barrett 4050ip transceiver as its operational standard due to its combination of advanced capabilities and user-friendly design. Its intuitive touchscreen interface, reminiscent of modern mobile devices, ensures accessibility for both seasoned radio operators and newcomers. This ease of use reduces the likelihood of user error and facilitates effective communication when it's needed most.
A few legacy Codan Envoy X2 radios remain in service within the network. These radios rely on a more complex keypad interface and will be replaced as communities transition to the Barrett 4050ip standard.
What are Remote Message Server (RMS) facilities, and does DisasterNet BC Society utilize them?
Yes, DisasterNet BC Society utilizes Remote Message Server (RMS) facilities as part of the worldwide Winlink messaging system, allowing member communities to send and receive email over radio, even when the Internet is unavailable.
Think of an RMS as a digital post office: it accepts messages sent over HF radio, stores them, and forwards them to their final destination, whether an Internet-based email address or another Winlink user. It also receives incoming messages and holds them until the radio station retrieves them, ensuring reliable, asynchronous communication during disasters.
These facilities are a crucial part of DisasterNet BC's communication strategy. They provide a resilient, infrastructure-independent messaging channel supporting local and long-distance coordination when all other systems fail.
What is the role of a Network Administrator within DisasterNet BC Society?
While the position of Network Administrator does not currently exist within DisasterNet BC Society, it represents a critical future role envisioned as the network continues to grow.
As more communities join the Society and station deployments increase, the need for centralized oversight of technical coordination, frequency planning, and system continuity will become essential. The future Network Administrator will help ensure the smooth, secure, and consistent operation of DisasterNet BC’s communications infrastructure across all member communities.
For now, these responsibilities are shared among Technical Committee members and directors, with the understanding that a formal Network Administrator role should become vital as the user base expands.
Does DisasterNet BC Society provide communication training to its members?
Not yet—but it’s a top priority. While DisasterNet BC Society does not currently have a formal, replicable training program, we recognize that capacity building through training is essential to our mission.
Members of the Society’s Technical Committee are actively developing a modular training program designed to be adaptable and deliverable to member communities throughout British Columbia. The goal is to equip experienced and new operators with the skills to use HF radio systems confidently during a disaster.
Our vision is to offer practical, scenario-based training that builds local capacity, supports interoperability, and ensures every community in the network is prepared when it matters most. We look forward to sharing more as the training program becomes available.
Policy Statement: Future Implementation of Encryption and ALE
DisasterNet BC Society aims to establish a functional, community-based disaster communications network quickly. All stations are initially configured with a straightforward, standardized setup that prioritizes usability and reliability, facilitating early adoption and ease of deployment.
Advanced features, such as encryption and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), are planned for implementation once the network reaches critical mass and a sufficient number of member stations are operational and well-trained in core procedures.
This staged approach allows communities to use the system with basic features while establishing the foundation for scalable upgrades to improve network performance and security over time.
Further Information
How can I get more information about DisasterNet BC Society?
For further inquiries, membership details, or additional information, please contact DisasterNet BC Society directly at info@disasternetbc.ca