Hurricane Helene (2024) devastated the Southern Appalachian Mountains with record-breaking rains and winds causing staggering destruction and loss of lives. The gap created by the lack of governments ability to react to such a broad disaster was filled by private citizens that spontaneously formed - in particular ham radio operators IN the disaster zone capturing urgent mission needs and sharing information on available resources to citizens and support groups alike.
The after-action reports from Helene mirrored what we have seen from events like Katrina, Sandy, and other large-scale incidents. The pattern highlighted the need for a new form of emergency support capability. While many NGOs exist in very specialized areas, there are few that focus on the near-proximity Communications required in such events, and even the ability to create micro-command posts to support larger government-run centers (if and until they exist).
RComm2 ™ is a Pennsylvania non-profit organization formed to assemble specialty teams certified in the skills to fill that void and provide expeditionary capability to support Communications & Command.
The end-goal to provide situational awareness to victims and responders through radio (2 meter VHF/UHF comm, GMRS, and others) in an emergency situation, satellite to hit the outside world, mapping on SAR software or other tools appropriate for the situation,
- gathering and sharing situational information, collect missions and aid first responders and governmental agencies in getting them solved.
Our founding team is composed of experienced Ham operators, Search & Rescue personnel, former military, and first responders.
We intend to extend into other capabilities (e.g. drone operations, etc.) to enhance our value.
We intend to provide remote, expeditionary support to various government agencies (when called upon), Search & Rescue teams, and other non-profit events.
We are long time fans of the Cajun Navy and the foundation of our organization is patterned off of their success.
We believe strongly in the importance of expanding the base of volunteers to support our mission for public good.
As such, we endeavor to aid in the delivery of education of radio technologies to individuals (GMRS, new hams and existing licensed hams seeking to upgrade) and groups (such as the Boy Scouts and school STEM programs).
Additionally, we sponsor a team of certified test administrators in administering Ham Radio License testing in central Chester County.
And with this capability we have the opportunity to support lots of worthy and fun civic causes, too. Our team supports various charity and civic events by setting up event command posts and safety communications at remote settings to cover/support the event area. Each of these events give us the opportunity to "stretch our legs" and practice our various skills.
In April of each year, the Great Marsh Institute and the Chesco Search Dogs come together to host a charity 5+ walk/run through the Great Marsh property supporting their non-profit entities. We are proud to support them by providing course marshals, radio communications and command post in support of the race director and safety personnel.
If you're interested in running either the 1K or 5K, please sign up here on RunSignup
Recently ranked as the 7th toughest ultramarathon in the world, we are a small part of a larger Eastern States 100 Communications team spanning 15 aid stations stretched over 103.3 miles. With 300 runners, over 100 pacers, 400 volunteers, and countless support crews doing a continuous 36-hour run on mostly single-track trails, the need for communications for life/safety is key.
Given the terrain of the hills of the PA Wilds, cell phones are generally inoperable and tracking devices are rendered useless as the runners trek over 20,000' of ascent over the course.
We provide a small contingent of ham operators to man the remote aid stations, and have previously provided our Command trailer for use by the Race Director, Logistics, and Operations to execute the race.
This ultramarathon is as complex a race to organize as you can imagine. You can find more information here on the Eastern States 100 website, including information on how you can volunteer (or run).
We are members of NASAR (National Association for Search & Rescue) who provide training and certification for multiple SAR disciplines. Though they do not have Comm certifications, their work in running Incident Command is consistent with the nationwide accepted ICS (Incident Command System) model. We presently provide communications support and training to a K9 Search & Rescue team.
The RComm2 ™ team will begin hosting Ham Radio testing on alternating odd-number months in Exton, PA starting in mid 2026.
Test dates (once scheduled) will be available HERE.
In the spirit of the Cajun Navy, RComm2 ™ intends to provide the capabilities listed above through a series of Skills Teams. We intend to further expand the teams (directly or through partnerships with other non-profit teams) to include additonal highly-specialized capabilities to support first-responders and governmental agencies. Current and future teams include:
- The "Tactical Operations Center & Operations" (TOC/OPS) Team provides the skills necessary to support on-scene forward first-responders and centralized EOC during incidents, including situational analysis, damage assessments, trending, and providing on-scene info where first-responders are not present.
- The "Communications" (COMM) Team includes GMRS, SDR Listening Post, VHF/UHF, and HF capabilities for communication with public and served agencies, including PEMA ACS.
- The "Digital Communications" (DIG COMM) Team includes both DMR/P25 voice, as well as Winlink and NBEMS for data traffic.
- The "Android Team Awareness Kit" (ATAK) Team provides real-time tracking of people and resources in forward positions.
- The "Search & Rescue / Operations" (SAR/OPS) Team are skills include SAR-specific communications and interoperability between various SAR and "agencies having jurisdiction", as well as supporting the on-scene commander with SARTopo/CalTopo resources and skills and other RComm2 ™ skills/teams.
- The "Drone" (DRONE) Team will be responsible for small (sub-FAA License required) drones for situational awareness, and working with any partnered FAA-licensed drone teams.
- The "Storm Weather" (STORM-WX) Team is responsible for providing "in the moment" ground-truth weather as well as future state weather forecasts to on-scene teams and EOC. This includes both SkyWarn, Hurricane Tracking, snow storm tracking, and partner Storm Chasers.
- The "Space Weather" (SPACE WX) Team is responsible for monitoring and communicating any solar activity which may impact incident response communications or operations.
- The "Training & Certifications" (TRNG CERTS) Team is the education and training arm of RComm2 ™ - providing courses required for team certification (e.g. GMRS, FCC licensing, First Aid), as well as emerging technologies (only those with a direct-line to mission delivery).
- The COMMAND Team are the officers of RComm2 ™, are the primary liaison with served agencies, and responsible for establishing forward and EOC operations and supporting the on-scene responders and served agencies as needed for the incident and resources available to the Centralized EOC.To best support governmental agencies and first responders, RComm2 ™ is prepared to send resources to forward locations and provide first-hand situational awareness updates. Teams may be in static locations or move around the area to respond to agency or first-responder requests.
"The Comm Mob" can deploy on foot and/or vehicles, as needed. Several of these operators are POTA or SOTA operators and have experience and equipment for longer range communications, as well.
The Incident Command Post (ICP) acts as a rallying point for resources during the event or incident as defined in the ICS framework until structured first responders arrive on scene.
RComm2 ™ will endeavor to provide education to individuals and groups seeking to learn more about our mission and specialty skills - as well as their application to various public service needs.
In addition to a baseline set of certifications and background checks to join RComm2 ™, each specialty skill within RComm2 ™ has an additional baseline training program (certifications, etc.) which must be completed, practices, and renewed on a regular basis.
Until these requirements are completed, RComm2 ™ team members can not deploy for that skillset. Members may complete as many specialty skills as they wish.
A Membership Coordinator will track all training, certifications, licenses, and renewals to ensure our served agencies are receiving the expected capability for each skill.
RComm2 ™is running Amateur Radio FCC license testing in central Chester County at the Church Farm School - 3rd Saturday of the odd-numbered months. Ham License tests will be available for anyone seeking to get or upgrade their FCC license.
