The Westcoast Amateur Radio Association (WARA) and the Victoria Branch of the Canadian Red Cross signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 10, 1996. This memorandum outlines an understanding wherein WARA will provide radio communication for the Red Cross Society - BC Coastal Region during an emergency.

WARA has an Emergency Communication Team (ECT) which consists of club volunteers. The role of WARA's Emergency Communication Team is to provide radio communication between the Victoria Red Cross and the following organizations and agencies:

• Capital Region Emergency Radio Communications Committee (Greater Victoria and Area EOCs)
• Provincial Emergency Program
• The Canadian Red Cross
• Provincial Emergency Social Services Operations Centre (PESSOC)
• EOC's and Field Reception Centres in the Red Cross BC Coastal Region

In April 2011, WARA received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Red Cross. See our web site pages under Departments|ECT & Nets for more information on the ECT program.