Wyoming Auxiliary Communications Service (WYACS) is a volunteer-based emergency communications reserve program that has operational, research, and educational components. WYACS offers exciting, ongoing, and technically diverse training to its members. The WYACS program was created to supplement emergency communications. Skilled and dedicated people, licensed and unlicensed, can be recruited to serve in one or more of four categories: administrative, management, technical, and operations.
WYACS was organized to expand on the goals of the RACES and ARES programs, incorporating civilians who were not amateur radio operators, in emergency communications response. Beyond emergency communications mobilizations, WYACS supports research and development of emerging communications technologies which are related to civil defense and emergency communications.
WYACS provides tactical, logistical and administrative support and communications for all government communications systems. This includes operations on equipment and frequencies of ANY authorized equipment or frequencies in support of ANY need by government that might be in any way connected with an eventual emergency.
This includes: cellular, computer, email, facsimile, Internet, interpersonal, microwave, radio (police, fire, amateur, other), satellite, telephone, television, video conference, in-office support of personnel, operators of equipment and systems.
WYACS makes possible the effective management and utilization of personnel from Amateur Radio, Civil Air Patrol, the Military Affiliate Radio System, Special Emergency Radio Service, REACT and others, in support of civil defense and disaster response and recovery. Activities include much more than operations on selected frequencies of a single service.
WYACS resources are normally mobilized at the same time as are other public safety resources responding and reacting to an incident; and not later, when it may be too late to effectively and efficiently, or even possible, to do so.
Participants in an WYACS are expected to be more than just operators of radios in a “call me if you need me” situation or an “it may never happen here” scenario. They are skilled professionals who work as unpaid staff with emergency management agency to enhance its response and recovery in any possible emergency.
This includes preparation of plans, systems and personnel for response to any kind of situation or incident.
WYACS Mission Statement: The mission of WYACS is to be a redundant communications resource, ready to enhance or assume emergency communications duties for governmental agencies (county, regional, state and federal) during times of actual or potential disaster, or when normal communications are either unavailable or are unable to adequately transfer the traffic as needed.
Basic Requirements:
- WYACS Volunteers must have a willingness to serve and be at least 18 years of age.
- WYACS Volunteers are expected to complete the team’s required training program.
- During the first year of service, WYACS Volunteers must have completed FEMA’s online Incident Command System courses ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, and IS 800.
- If a volunteer plans to be a radio operator for WYACS, the volunteer must have or obtain an FCC Amateur Radio Operators license (test training is facilitated).
- Successfully pass a background check.
- Sign a Volunteer Service Agreement and Code of Ethics
Skills Individuals in the following Specialties Include:
- All Hazard Communications
- Amateur Radio License
- Military Auxiliary Radio System
- Stenographers (transcribe voice communications)
- Computer networking specialists
- Licensed GMRS and/or Amateur Radio communications specialists
- Other Emerging Technologies
WYACS is a volunteer organization. In most cases, team members easily manage work, life, and WYACS commitments. However, during emergencies and disasters, WYACS members may be called upon to operate at night, on weekends, during normal business hours, and on holidays. Before applying to WYACS, please consider your availability and willingness to serve.