Emergency Communication Hub Program

Overview

Beginning in early 2025, the Oakland Radio Communication Association (ORCA), in close partnership with Oakland’s Emergency Management Services Division (EMSD), Oakland Firesafe Council’s GENOAK network, and community organizations across the City, developed and implemented Oakland’s first pilot Emergency Communication Hub (ECH) program.

The goal was straightforward: create a reliable, community-based emergency communication capability that will function when phones, Internet, and power are unavailable. The ECH framework demonstrated how 2-way radio technology, trained volunteers and trusted community sites can work together to strengthen resilience before, during, and after a major disaster.


ECH Model

ECHs are local radio communication sites hosted at trusted public and community spaces. During and after an emergency, trained volunteer operators will use FRS, GMRS and Amateur 2-way radio to gather information from neighbors/CERTs, coordinate local response, and receive and transmit important updates and requests with other ECHs and emergency services partners, among other tasks.

Instead of relying on a centralized infrastructure alone, the ECH model emphasizes:

  • Decentralized, neighborhood-level communication
  • Trained local volunteers embedded in their communities
  • Simple, robust 2-way radio systems that work when other systems fail
  • Clear procedures in a framework that can be replicated and scaled

From Concept to Implementation

Originally scoped as a single pilot hub, the project ultimately delivered four fully equipped ECH locations across Oakland, hosted by three partner organizations: the Oakland Public Library and two prominent community centers. The ECH program was funded by a grant from FEMA that was delivered through the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (BA UASI).

Each hub received 2-way radio equipment packaged for rapid deployment, clear signage, and printed quick-start guides so that volunteers and staff can activate the ECH quickly when needed.

At the same time, a first cohort of volunteer radio operators were identified, recruited, licensed, and trained. These individuals, known as ECH Operators, completed a comprehensive four-hour workshop combining classroom instruction with hands-on drills focused on radio etiquette, net control, message passing, equipment operation, and channel management. All ECH Operators were also sworn in as Disaster Service Worker – Volunteers (DSW-Vs) by EMSD, formally integrating them into Oakland’s emergency response framework.

What Was Learned

Delivering the ECH program reinforced several key lessons:

  • Community trust is key to success
  • Engagement and retention require hands-on, practical training
  • Clear documentation is essential for sustainability
  • Volunteers rise to the challenge when expectations are clear and support is strong

Most importantly, the project showed that resilient communication does not require complexity—it requires preparation, eager individuals, and practice.

Looking Ahead

Completing the pilot ECH program also positioned ORCA and its partners to pursue the next phase of growth. A grant application was submitted to Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) that proposed expansion to build directly on the ECH foundation—aiming to strengthen Oakland’s emergency 2-way radio infrastructure, improve analog and digital communication resilience, and extend the ECH model to additional neighborhoods throughout Oakland.

Thanking the volunteers, partners, and community members who made the pilot ECH program a success!

Christophe WSGB539 / KO6HWD
Doug WQOY819 / KI6DOG