GMRS Emergency Network – Oakland (GENOAK)
In the event of a large-scale emergency such as a major wildfire, earthquake or flood, individuals and communities such as neighborhood groups, CERT teams, apartment residents, organizations and hubs in and around Oakland may need to depend on information and assistance from others nearby. However, cellular, internet and landline phone communications may be overloaded or disrupted. 2-way radio service though, such as the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), can facilitate effective voice communications when other means are unavailable.
During and after a disaster a GMRS radio network can enable community groups to connect with each other to report on threats and incidents, provide status updates, share resources, mobilize volunteers and coordinate needed assistance. Critical messages can be passed to Oakland’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) via relays. 2-way radio communications will also operate during extended power outages (Public Safety Power Shutoffs).
GENOAK (GMRS Emergency Network – Oakland) is the GMRS radio network service created by OCP&R to serve all of Oakland and surrounding communities before, during and after a disaster. An Oakland-based GMRS repeater greatly increases the ability for area-wide communications using GMRS radios. Use of this repeater is provided to GENOAK by the Northern California GMRS Users Group (NCGUG).
Thanking Berkeley’s BeCERTAINN GMRS radio program and its founders for their guidance and support.