New event volunteers
New event volunteers are always very welcome and do not require a radio operator’s certificate. If this is your first time volunteering for a race event or hockey tournament, you will be paired up with one of our very experienced volunteers. They will be happy to introduce you to the activities at your own pace and to answer your questions. The main idea is to have fun and to support your community with healthy fitness activities.
Position roster
About a month before the event there will be an email request for volunteers. Any special requests for positions and times will attempt to be satisfied by the position roster sheet. A few days before the event, the latest guidance documents and maps will be emailed to all the WARA volunteers. The instructions may appear overwhelming to a new participant, but your veteran partner will ensure it will become easy for you to understand as the race or game day progresses.
Items to bring (not applicable to the CARHA hockey tournament):
On the morning of the event, gather up and bring the following items to your position
- Clothing suitable for the weather forecast.
- A folding camp chair, unless you are assigned to a vehicle.
- A high visibility vest (your partner will usually have an extra available for you).
- Water and snacks. They are often provided, but not guaranteed for all locations.
- Optional portable amateur radio transceiver if you have one.
- Optional small binoculars.
- A cellular telephone is recommended in case it is necessary to call 911.
- Optional printed out guidance documents and pencil. Your veteran partner will certainly bring these.
On location
Park your vehicle or bicycle nearby your station off of the race route. Early public transit should still be available, but running routes will be blocked off shortly before the race commences. Introduce yourself to your partner and to the other people running the nearby water station or first aid station as applicable to your location. Your partner will use his or her radio to report that you are present on location. Net control (a group of senior WARA volunteers, often at a fire hall or other emergency services building, directing the radio communications) will register that you are present. You are expected to remain on site until released by net control. Portable washrooms will be nearby your location. There will be a lull in the activities before the lead racers reach your position. Take this time to become familiar with your station and feel comfortable asking questions of the volunteers around you.
Race in progress (not applicable to the CARHA hockey tournament):
As the lead racers approach your station, your partner will report them to net control. Your primary duties now are to watch the racers for anyone in potential medical distress. This happens to approximately 30% of the stations, normally for minor ailments or tired runners. Your partner may call in a bicycle based first aid team, or a tired runner pick up vehicle to return the runner to the Legislature buildings. For serious medical emergencies, net control may be sitting next to an ambulance dispatcher who can immediately send an ambulance to your location. For the Royal Victoria Marathon, there is a full medical team in the large tent next to the finish line.
Stand down
Most of the time on location is passed fairly leisurely watching and cheering on the racers in pleasant sunny weather. If you are a student aspiring to your basic or advanced amateur radio certificate, your partner probably has a wealth of knowledge they look forward to sharing with you. If you feel confident, you are welcome to speak on one of the radios to pass routine administrative messages to get some practice. Volunteer participants almost always receive a nice colorful T-shirt of the event that can be worn for years to provide fond memories. As the last race participants eventually pass by, they will be followed by a vehicle with a gps position reporting radio and probably a police motorcycle. Slow stragglers will move to the sidewalk. Your nearby traffic control volunteer team will reopen the roads. Net control will stand down your station and you can depart for home.
Contact
Contact the Public Service Coordinator to volunteer or with any questions: Public Service Coordinator.
References
- Responsibilities of a public service event team member: https://www.ve7vic.ca/public-service-and-events/responsibilities-of-a-public-service-event-team-member/
- Other public service events: https://www.ve7vic.ca/public-service-and-events/event-listings/
- For organizations interested in enlisting WARA’s public service events: https://www.ve7vic.ca/public-service-and-events/