Kirkland Emergency Communications Team (KECT)

The Kirkland Emergency Communications Team (KECT) is a group of volunteers who have FCC amateur radio licenses and provide the City of Kirkland with communications support during emergencies and other events.

KECT has been providing the City of Kirkland with volunteer-supported communications for disasters and local events since 1995. KECT is activated by Office of Emergency Management (OEM) staff when emergency communications support is required. 

KECT runs short tests of its network on most Sunday evenings and conducts regular exercises to keep skills fresh when there are not emergencies.

During a real disaster, members will report to an assigned location to provide backup communications. KECT Members may also be called on to support non-emergency city activities such as parades and other events. 

KECT is a volunteer group that supports the City of Kirkland and may be further activated under provisions of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 118-04 – Emergency Worker Program – concerning Communications Emergency Workers.

Join a Sunday Night Net

The KECT Sunday Night Net runs weekly on Sunday evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. on linked VHF and UHF repeaters with frequencies of 145.49 and 441.075 MHz.

Visitors are always welcome to check in with their name, call sign, and location during the call. Net control will ask for visitors to report after team member check ins.

Joining KECT

People interested in joining KECT are invited to attend a meeting to meet other members and learn more about the group. 

KECT meetings are held the third Wednesday of scheduled months according to the annual calendar from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please contact the OEM team to attend a meeting.

After attending a meeting, KECT members must register as City volunteers, pass a background check, and register as Emergency Workers through OEM.

Membership is open to individuals in the greater Kirkland area that have an FCC Amateur Radio License at the Technician level or higher.

To get started or learn more contact OEM at KirklandEM@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3691, and view the outlined process via KECT resources under the New Member Resources tab!

Sign up for the Kirkland Emergency Management newsletter for KECT updates.

Ham Radio Licensing

Interested in ham radio but still need to get your license?

Find local upcoming licensing classes through the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website.

Contact KECT

Email: KirklandEM@kirklandwa.gov

Phone: 425-587-3691 

 

Kirkland Emergency Communications Team

KECT Resources

Member Resources

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