York PA Emcomm

09/17/2026

We welcomed a new member at last night's YARS meeting and discussed upcoming events and training! We look forward to growing and becoming better at what we do! Did you notice our new logo???

Send a message to learn more

08/21/2026

Our group was activated and manned our radio room in the York Emergency Operations Center after the storm passed. Several amateur radio operators were standing by willing to be deployed to any part of the county to help EMA with whatever was tasked. By 8pm we were released with no tasks assigned.

05/18/2026

Some of our members in these pictures...

05/17/2026

Unfortunately our participants didn't get any recognition during this short story of the exercise, but one of our members can be seen in background. Our dozen YARS members were there for the entire exercise and worked hard. Great job to all involved!
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/york-county-tests-emergency-response-scenarios-with-full-scale-shelter-exercise/521-cf84fa6e-a000-4945-a1e7-e4a43cae4fc9?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WPMT_FOX43&fbclid=IwdGRjcAR3KiBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4Sit8jFieEjxIURbhhh6NCGAl-vLeSZWjfU9U9t-L7O50swgLyheKcOAPPxQ_aem_4gerf_2UVtJ1SJSxjGvOyA

York County's emergency response was put to the test as over a dozen agencies collaborated in a large-scale sheltering exercise, simulating disaster scenarios.

05/16/2026

YARS members currently at the Safe Haven Shelter Exercise in York County. This is an evaluated exercise. FEMA, PEMA, Fire Departments, Sheriff Deputies, CERT, and Red Cross, Salvation Army, VOAD, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are just some of the participants. We are here to provide safety communications.

05/14/2026

YARS is excited to help York County with this event by showcasing our capabilities beyond the traditional tasks YARS performs.

On Saturday, May 16, the York County Office of Emergency Management will conduct a full-scale sheltering exercise at the York Fairgrounds in collaboration with numerous federal, state, county and local partners, as well as member organizations of the York County Voluntary Organizations in Disaster (VOAD).

The purpose of the exercise is to test the capabilities of the county and the organizational partnerships that have been developed in the event a large-scale disaster impacts York County and threatens the safety of its residents. In addition, there will be a monitoring/decontamination demonstration during the exercise, should the disaster impact the Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant or the soon-to-be-open Crane Clean Energy Center.

Organizations that will be participating in the exercise include:
• York County Office of Emergency Management
• York County Hazardous Materials Team
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• Emergency Health Services Federation
• Keystone Healthcare Coalition
• City of York
• West Manchester Township
• York County Sheriff’s Department
• York County Community Emergency Response Team
• York County Animal Response Team
• York County Amateur Radio - YARS
• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Southern Baptist Disaster Response
• Team Rubicon

The exercise will be held from 8am to 2pm and will also include volunteer actors that will simulate individuals seeking shelter. Multiple scenarios and injects will occur during the exercise to replicate real-world challenges during an actual sheltering operation.

The York County Office of Emergency Management would like to extend our sincere thanks to the York Fairgrounds for their hospitality, as well as the York County Board of Commissioners for their continued support and involvement with emergency management in York County.

05/08/2026

Want to get involved, but don't have a ham radio license? Take this class coming up!

TECH Class May 23/24 York 911 center 120 Davies Dr. York Pa

There will be a free Technician license class at the York 911 center May 23 8AM to 4PM and May 24 8 AM to noon with a Test session after the class. This class is designed to prepare the student for success in the FCC License test. The test will be administered by a Laurel VEC group, there is no charge for the testing but the FCC requests payment of 35$ for the license. This is paid directly to the FCC when they receive the information of successful completion of the test.

Students need to…

1) My goal is 100% pass the test. Work with me to make that happen.
2) Respond to [email protected] that they are coming. We will take walk-ins but it helps with planning if most register. I will respond with two documents – how to register and a list of questions to review.
3) Register for the testing session. This reduces paperwork at the session.
4) Get an FRN (how in the registration document) DO NOT GET AN FRN IF YOU HAVE ONE i.e. GMRS License holders – the person whose name is on the license.
5) Bring your snacks, you can bring lunches and eat in the room.
6) Minors ae welcomed, but they must be accompanied all the time.
7) I have a list of questions it is HELPFUL to study before the class; they are covered but this helps. I email them when I get an email.
8) Please silence cell phones. I will let mine on for about 20 minutes in case someone is struggling to get there.
9) A note pad, pencil and pen can be helpful.
10) Call or email me with any questions.

05/07/2026

2 of our largest regular events have successfully become history.
On April 28th we assisted York County in their bi-ennual nuclear emergency response evaluation for the Peach Bottom Clean Energy Center.

On May 3rd we assisted the YMCA of the Roses with their annual York Marathon.

Close to 200 volunteer hours were logged by YARS radio operators for the safety of our local community.

03/15/2026

YARS will use this opportunity to test our activation procedures and Skywarn reporting practices. Hopefully no serious injuries or damage will occur with this weather.

York County Office of Emergency Management was proud to help facilitate a tabletop exercise last night (3/4/26) for the Northern York County Unified Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Also in attendance were municipal officials, as well as personnel from fire companies, police departments, and EMS agencies who fall within NEMA’s region.
The tabletop scenario focused on an anhydrous ammonia leak on Route 15 just outside Dillsburg. The exercise gave NEMA’s volunteer staff the opportunity to walk through their roles during a complex emergency. It also allowed municipal partners to see firsthand how coordination, communication, and decision making unfold during real incidents.
We were grateful to have strong participation from our local municipalities, including Dillsburg Borough, Carroll Township, Franklintown Borough, Monaghan Township, Warrington Township, and Wellsville Borough. Their efforts strengthen our county’s readiness and improve partnerships to enhance our community’s disaster resilience.
Preparedness is a team effort, and today’s exercise was another step toward ensuring we’re ready when it matters most.
Thanks to all who participated and attended.

Carroll Township Police Department Northern York County Fire Rescue Monaghan Township Volunteer Fire Company Dillsburg Banner and Bargain Sheet

01/30/2026

Behind the scenes of this last snowstorm, 4 YARS Skywarn members checked into the Central PA Skywarn nets, representing the communities of South Central PA by delivering instant weather data.