Lincoln selected to become Emergency Communications Hub (ECH)
Christophe Marcant WSGB539 (ORCA), Gilbert Gong (Lincoln Square Park), and Doug Mosher, WQOY819 (ORCA) check out the new site for the emergency communications hub.
Keeping the community connected and informed during an emergency
36 years to the day after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Friends of Lincoln Square Park met with park director Gilbert Gong, and volunteers from ORCA, the Oakland Radio Communications Association to assess Lincoln as a potential site for an emergency communications hub (ECH).
Beginning in early 2025, the Oakland Radio Communication Association (ORCA), in close partnership with Oakland’s Emergency Management Services Division (EMSD), Oakland Firesafe Council’s GENOAK network, and community organizations across the City, developed and implemented Oakland’s first pilot Emergency Communication Hub (ECH) program.
The goal is straightforward: create a reliable, community-based emergency communication capability to keep residents informed and connected when phones, Internet, and power are unavailable. The ECH framework demonstrated how 2-way radio technology, trained volunteers and trusted community sites can work together to strengthen resilience before, during, and after a major disaster. These hubs will help bridge communication gaps and enable neighbors to assist one another when it matters most.
Support neighborhood safety and resilience — become a radio volunteer!
ORCA is looking for volunteer 2-way radio operators to staff the hubs. No experience is required — ORCA will provide training and cover the cost of a basic radio license (GMRS), and radio equipment. There’s also an opportunity to pursue your Amateur Radio (HAM) license later on, with costs covered.
Time Commitment:
1–2 short workshops (3 hrs max each)
Monthly 30-min radio check-ins (~8x/year)
Participation in 1-2 citywide radio drills (2 hrs)
Lincoln Square is one of just four Emergency Communication Hubs so f you live nearby, visit the park regularly, or have a stake in its success, your involvement could make a real difference. Contact us to learn more.
Thank you for helping keep the Lincoln Square community connected, supported, and resilient before, during, and after disaster strikes.
Thank you partners!
What is an Emergency Communications Hub?
ECHs are local radio communication sites hosted at trusted public and community spaces. During and after an emergency, trained volunteer operators will use FRS, GMRS and Amateur 2-way radio to gather information from neighbors/CERTs, coordinate local response, and receive and transmit important updates and requests with other ECHs and emergency services partners, among other tasks.
Instead of relying on a centralized infrastructure alone, the ECH model emphasizes:
Decentralized, neighborhood-level communication
Trained local volunteers embedded in their communities
Simple, robust 2-way radio systems that work when other systems fail
Clear procedures in a framework that can be replicated and scaled
Getting up and running
As part of the City-wide pilot, 3 sites were slected and Lincoln Square Park was one of them! The ECH program was funded by a grant from FEMA that was delivered through the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (BA UASI).
Each hub received 2-way radio equipment packaged for rapid deployment, clear signage, and printed quick-start guides so that volunteers and staff can activate the ECH quickly when needed.
At the same time, a first cohort of volunteer radio operators were identified, recruited, licensed, and trained. These individuals, known as ECH Operators, completed a comprehensive four-hour workshop combining classroom instruction with hands-on drills focused on radio etiquette, net control, message passing, equipment operation, and channel management. All ECH Operators were also sworn in as Disaster Service Worker – Volunteers (DSW-Vs) by EMSD, formally integrating them into Oakland’s emergency response framework. Join the effort!
For generations, Lincoln Square has been a gathering space for neighbors of all ages. It’s a place rooted in culture, connection, and care. Our newest partnership strengthens relationships and local capacity to protect our neighborhood during and after crises. Whether you’re already active in community projects or looking for a hands-on way to help, this is a chance to make a tangible difference.