It's the first day of summer, and while B.C. weather remains unpredictable, the threat of climate events and natural disasters is increasing.
This includes wildfires and floods — two events the province has recently battled almost annually for the last decade.
In order to make sure communications are clear and up to speed for first responders, a Coquitlam volunteer group is set to hike up Mount Seymour this weekend for a training exercise with the Canadian Armed Forces.
And they'll stay at the North Vancouver site for 24 hours.
The Coquitlam Amateur Radio Club is set to be one of 35,000 stations participating in what is known as Field Day, an emergency exercise conducted across North America that's taken place each year since 1933.
The club will be with the Canadian Armed Forces 39th Brigade Group — the communications and electronics branch — in demonstrating its range and signal service in the event of a fire or flood.
"This year's event is especially noteworthy given the challenges B.C. has had to deal with over the last year," reads a Coquitlam Amateur Radio club release sent to the Tri-City News today (June 21).
"From fires to floods, amateur radio operators have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure."
According to the club, amateur radio has the ability to work under any condition in any location, including deep into the mountains, in creating a wireless network without a need for internet, satellites or cell services.
Part of the exercise includes the use of portable devices with alternative energy sources, such as solar panels.
Coquitlam volunteers will also be joined by their counterparts in Burnaby and New Westminster.
The exercise begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday (June 25) and will finish at the same time the next morning (June 26).
For more information, you can visit the Coquitlam Amateur Radio Club's website.
