AUXCOMM - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

Forsyth AuxCommWhat is AUXCOMM

AuxComm is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant program adopted by North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) for all auxiliary emergency / public service communications within the state.  AuxComm encompasses Amateur Radio, RACES, CERT Team communications, citizens band and other non-public safety communications services.  While AuxComm stands for Auxiliary Communications, within the state of North Carolina, AuxComm is considered a Primary Emergency Communications asset and is overseen by qualified Amateur Radio personnel.  NC AuxComm, with the full support of NCEM, is tasked with establishing at the county level, county AuxComm units led by appointed and qualified volunteer AuxComm Coordinators.  The NC AuxComm program replaces RACES and the ARRL-ARES programs within the state.  

Forsyth County AuxComm

Forsyth County AuxComm, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit agency providing auxiliary communications resiliency to Public Safety entities as well as supporting the Local Community and Public Charities with trained volunteer auxiliary communicators and a wide variety of two-way communications equipment.  Additionally, AuxComm provides training to local Amateur Radio operators, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) personnel and others in emergency communications response.  All members of Forsyth County AuxComm are volunteers and no one receives any payment for their services.  They are 100% volunteer and community funded.  Forsyth County AuxComm is not a department of any county or local government and receives no tax-payer funding. 

Forsyth County AuxComm has an active, well-trained group of volunteer Emergency Communicators who are trained in the Incident Command System, SkyWarn (Storm spotting), Basic and Advanced Emergency Communications as well as many other aspects that enhance our ability to assist our primary partner, Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management during emergencies / disasters as well as other organizations during public service events.

Working hand in hand with local Amateur radio clubs, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and other communications groups, Forsyth County AuxComm provides their members, who also may also be volunteer AuxComm personnel, with training in Emergency Communications operations

Forsyth County AuxComm Partners

Forsyth County AuxComm’s primary emergency / disaster response partners are Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Emergency Management, North Carolina Emergency Management, and the American Red Cross.  Forsyth AuxComm personnel participate in training exercises with these partners, and during emergencies, disasters, and even special events, deploy as a primary communications asset within their response. AuxComm personnel may be tasked with a variety of roles during emergencies / disaster and public service events. Operating amateur radio stations at shelters, command posts and the EOC, to acting as radio operators for key personnel, and operating radios on the state VIPER system.  AuxComm personnel may also be used to assist Emergency Management and/or Incident Management Team personnel in the performance of their duties during these situations.  

Membership in Forsyth County AuxComm

There are two types of membership for Forsyth AuxComm, Active and Associate, both of which may participate in all AuxComm activities within the scope of their qualifications and training.

  • Active members of Forsyth County AuxComm are required to have an FCC Amateur Radio Operator   as well as completion of required initial and recurrent training.  
  • Associate members do not hold an FCC Amateur Radio Operator license; however these members are no less important to our mission.  They may be trained CERT volunteers or are others who desire to support the AuxComm mission with administrative or other essential support.  Associate members participating in actual AuxComm operations are required to meet required initial and recurrent training. 

All members are expected to participate in AuxComm nets and exercises as appropriate and are volunteers who are community supported. Registration/membership information can be found on the Forsyth County AuxComm webpage (About/Membership tab) or by emailing info@fcauxcomm.org or auxc@fcauxcomm.org.

 

Forsyth County AuxComm Meetings 

For FCC licensed amateur radio operators, Forsyth County AuxComm holds emergency communications training nets on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and when applicable, the 5th Thursday of the month at 2030 hours (8:30 PM) on the W4NC 145.470 + (Tone 100 hz) repeater.  These nets are used to practice procedures and provide training on relevant emergency / disaster response and public service communications.  All amateur are invited to participate in these nets.  

For AuxComm members there is a monthly training / meeting via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday at 2000 hours (8:00 PM). Information on these meetings can be found on the Forsyth County AuxComm webpage (Resources/Nets & Meeting tab).    

04-09-2022