Winnipeg Amateur Radio Emergency Service

About Winnipeg ARES...

The Winnipeg Amateur Radio Emergency Service (WARES) is a volunteer organization comprised of dedicated amateur radio operators (also known as "Hams") with an interest in emergency communications... more

Next Meeting

Our next General Meeting will be on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 19:00h at Sir William Stephenson Library 765 Keewatin Street, Winnipeg.
The meeting will be a hybrid meeting (in-person & virtual) and will have the re-scheduled presentation from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, Manager - Derek Trainer speaking about Manitoba 511 Road Information.
Please make every effort to attend the meeting in-person.

2024/25 Executive

President - Kurt Sargent VE4GIS

Treasurer - Garth Blumm VE4GWB

Secretary - Steve VE4FTS

Emergency Coordinator - Jeff Dovyak VE4MBQ

Please visit the Contact Us page if you would like to speak to one of our Executive members.

Updates

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) in Canada is fast approaching.
The theme across the country this year is "Be Prepared. Know Your Risks" and will run from May 4 -10, 2025.
This is an opportunity to promote preparedness at all levels in your community and to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community during an emergency. Whether your EP Week is focused on social media messaging, local government training or external events, Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) has a variety of resources and activities at your disposal.

Updated Website

Manitoba EMO has launched their NEW Manitoba EMO website, with several new sections that includes enhanced information:

• About Manitoba EMO
• Your Guide Through Emergencies and Disasters
• Hazards in Manitoba
• How to Grow Professionally in Emergency Management
• Funding for Emergencies and Disasters

Resources

Manitoba EMO has prepared a variety of emergency preparedness resources in English and French that local authorities are encouraged to use and share with community members.

• Home Emergency Supplies
• Emergency Go Kits
• Emergency Vehicle Kits
• First Aid Kit
• Home Emergency Plan Workbook

Alerting

Manitoba will participate in the upcoming test to the Alert Ready National Public Alerting System on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 1:55 pm.

The test will occur on all platforms including television, radio, and compatible wireless devices.

These tests ensure the Alert Ready system operates as intended during an imminent or life-threatening situation. Additionally, these tests serve to increase public awareness about the Alert Ready system; how it works, what an emergency alert looks and sounds like so that Manitobans can be ready in the event of an actual emergency.

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The U-Turn Parkinson's Walk event takes place Sat May 31 2025 10:00-12:00h on the grounds of Canadian Mennonite University. The date is approaching fast and as of the March WARES meeting, we are still looking for a few more amateur radio operators to assist with communications at the event. See the EVENTS page for further details.

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The 2025 Manitoba Marathon is taking place Sunday 15 June 2025. As of mid-April, we still need approximatley 30 more amateur radio volunteers to help this major event run safely and smoothly. Because of the size and complexity of the event, and number of tasks that amateur radio works with, we really need volunteer registrations to be made NOW for planning purposes, not in early June.

If you are a "new" ham, or a ham who hasn't volunteered at the marathon before, don't worry, we will be sure to team you up to work with an experienced ham at the event who will be able to help you with technical or procedural steps through the event.

Of note - there has been a significant change to the Marathon route:
The race route will be the same from U of Manitoba to Misericordia Hospital where it will turn south, go over the bridge and turn onto Wellington Cr to Assiniboine Park and then back on previous course more or less.

This year there will not have the route through the Wolseley area, Portage Avenue or over the footbridge. There may be one or two Mile Stations that have runners going by twice (once towards Assiniboine Park and then back towards Princess Auto Field).

Further event details and the link for amateur radio operators to register to participate can be found via the EVENTS page.