Communications Team

The Salem CERT Communications Sub-Team exists to ensure effective, resilient, and redundant communication for the Salem CERT program, its members, and the wider community.

The Sub-Team is responsible for developing, documenting, and maintaining all essential communications infrastructure and outreach.

Primary Functions

The team fulfills this mission through the following key functions:

Communications Planning & Resilience: Developing a comprehensive CERT Communications Plan, including the integration of Amateur Radio (Ham) for traffic between local team staging areas and the City Emergency Operations Center (EOC), managing GMRS/FRS communications, and continually researching alternative technologies for viability.
Training & Readiness: Designing and implementing training programs that support the Communications Plan, including regular practice sessions for passing emergency traffic and comprehensive testing of communication systems.
Digital Presence: Developing and maintaining the SalemOregonCERT.org website as the primary digital resource for Salem CERT.
Community Outreach: Producing and distributing a regular newsletter that covers CERT activities while appealing to a wider audience with engaging, general preparedness topics.

Team Roster

Team Lead: Mark Wardell
Assistants: Paul Howard, Lola Hackett, Wayne Floyd
Members: Lee Cowan, Duncan Webb, Rogene Talento

Reference Documents

You will find additional resources for Salem CERT over on our Communications Resources page. Some of the items you’ll find there include:

Monthly Salem CERT Net script including the cache list
Salem CERT Band plan

2025-Dec-07 at 4:30 pm
Salem CERT HAM Net
Do you have a ham radio license? Whether you're a member ofthe Salem CERT, another CERT team, or not a CERT member at all, we invite you to join our monthly radio check-in! This is a great chance to practice your radio skills and connect with other operators.
The next check-in is scheduled for the First Sunday of each month, at 4:30 PM. We will be operating on the frequency of 146.580 Mhz (simplex).
A Net Control Operator will be running the session, so please remember to wait for instructions before transmitting. This helps to ensure a smooth and orderly check-in for everyone.
While not required, it is hoped that many of the check-ins will take place from your assigned cache, using the ham radio in the cache when possible.
We look forward to hearing you on the air!

146.580 Mhz (simplex)
2026-Jan-04 at 4:30 pm
Salem CERT HAM Net
Do you have a ham radio license? Whether you're a member ofthe Salem CERT, another CERT team, or not a CERT member at all, we invite you to join our monthly radio check-in! This is a great chance to practice your radio skills and connect with other operators.
The next check-in is scheduled for the First Sunday of each month, at 4:30 PM. We will be operating on the frequency of 146.580 Mhz (simplex).
A Net Control Operator will be running the session, so please remember to wait for instructions before transmitting. This helps to ensure a smooth and orderly check-in for everyone.
While not required, it is hoped that many of the check-ins will take place from your assigned cache, using the ham radio in the cache when possible.
We look forward to hearing you on the air!

146.580 Mhz (simplex)
2026-Jan-10 at 9:00 am
West Salem Bi-Monthly(ish) Team Meeting
This month we will be hearing from our very own Will Conley, his presentation is Prep Ahead: Emergency Plans. This will cover emergency plan methodology and a variety of types of emergency plans. There will be an activity on making a plan and some different technology you can use.
As always, everyone is welcome, not just CERT members.

Roth's Fresh Markets, 1130 Wallace Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304
2026-Feb-01 at 4:30 pm
Salem CERT HAM Net
Do you have a ham radio license? Whether you're a member ofthe Salem CERT, another CERT team, or not a CERT member at all, we invite you to join our monthly radio check-in! This is a great chance to practice your radio skills and connect with other operators.
The next check-in is scheduled for the First Sunday of each month, at 4:30 PM. We will be operating on the frequency of 146.580 Mhz (simplex).
A Net Control Operator will be running the session, so please remember to wait for instructions before transmitting. This helps to ensure a smooth and orderly check-in for everyone.
While not required, it is hoped that many of the check-ins will take place from your assigned cache, using the ham radio in the cache when possible.
We look forward to hearing you on the air!

146.580 Mhz (simplex)
2026-Mar-01 at 4:30 pm
Salem CERT HAM Net
Do you have a ham radio license? Whether you're a member ofthe Salem CERT, another CERT team, or not a CERT member at all, we invite you to join our monthly radio check-in! This is a great chance to practice your radio skills and connect with other operators.
The next check-in is scheduled for the First Sunday of each month, at 4:30 PM. We will be operating on the frequency of 146.580 Mhz (simplex).
A Net Control Operator will be running the session, so please remember to wait for instructions before transmitting. This helps to ensure a smooth and orderly check-in for everyone.
While not required, it is hoped that many of the check-ins will take place from your assigned cache, using the ham radio in the cache when possible.
We look forward to hearing you on the air!

146.580 Mhz (simplex)

Salem Oregon CERT Calendar