Perth's Precautionary Transmissions: WICEN West Australia Navigates Renewal for Emergency Readiness

BELLEVUE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA – In the vast state of Western Australia, the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN WA), operating under the callsign VK6WIE, continues its critical mission as a co-ordination and training body for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. The organisation is candidly navigating a period of "rebuilding," a response to the inevitable generational shift as long-serving members, who formed the backbone of previous efforts, have passed into "Silent Key" or retired due to incapacity. This phase of renewal is pivotal for ensuring the continuity of its auxiliary communication services in times of crisis.

WICEN WA's operational ethos remains anchored in providing supplemental support when conventional communication lines are compromised. Membership, at a modest $25 per annum, is structured around flexible volunteer commitment – individuals contribute time, energy, and expertise according to their personal capacity and interest, without imposition. The emphasis is on leveraging education and practical training opportunities, such as historically providing structured communications for events like car rallies, to ensure members are adept and "assured in being able to provide comms."

The group actively pursues integration with state, regional, and local emergency management frameworks, a testament to its strategic role. This is often complemented by its members' concurrent involvement in other key emergency services such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the State Emergency Service (SES), and St. John Ambulance, fostering valuable cross-sectoral understanding. To maintain operational readiness and member engagement, WICEN WA conducts a sophisticated weekly on-air net every Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM local time (12:00 Zulu). This net impressively utilizes both HF (around 3.600 MHz, subject to QRM) and an extensive VHF linked repeater network, with net control (VK6WIE) frequently managed by Bob VK6KW from Northam via the VK6RAV repeater, linked to VK6RLM and the broader Allstar hub.

Physical meetings are held on the second Monday of each month (excluding January) at 7:00 PM for a 7:30 PM start, at the 1st Midland Scout Hall, 10 Helen Street, Bellevue. In a significant step towards future-proofing its capabilities, WICEN WA is "actively seeking to learn the landscape of what accredited training courses relevant to our operations are available." The ambition is to make such courses accessible to members and supporters "in due course," aligning training with contemporary emergency communication needs while always respecting the voluntary nature of participation.

Under the stewardship of President Mark Bastin (VK6XLZ/VK6FIVE), Secretary Kevin Byrne (VK6KQ), and Treasurer Bob (VK6KW), WICEN West Australia is not merely weathering a transition but actively reshaping its future. Its commitment to rebuilding its membership and enhancing its training regimen is crucial for maintaining its capacity as an indispensable volunteer auxiliary communication service, ready to support Western Australia when it matters most. The organization can be contacted via its Cannington post office box.