Communications Academy is a non-profit coalition of volunteer communications teams to provide a high quality, professional-grade training opportunity for the various emergency communications teams around the Pacific Northwest. By providing a once-a-year large-scale venue for training, volunteer communicators are exposed to topics in emergency management, communications techniques and protocols, real-life emergency responses, and other pertinent subjects, which might not otherwise be available to them.

In past years the academy has been able to attract several nationally known speakers for the keynote sessions. This year's keynote speaker is Jerry Boyd, author of several books on emergency work.

The Communications Academy is open to anyone with an interest in emergency communications, volunteer or professional. The presentations are designed to promote the development of knowledgeable, skilled emergency communicators who will support their local communities during a disaster or emergency response.

The planning committee for the Communications Academy includes members from the following volunteer communications organizations:

• Marina Zuetell, N7LSL, District Emergency Coordinator, Western Washington Medical Services Communications, an ARES and Seattle ACS affiliated team.
• Ann Werner, King County EOC Support Team and the SPART (Ski Patrol Advanced Rescue Team), sponsored by King County Emergency Management
• Art Brown, W7GGI, Federal Way Emergency ACS
• Kirk Bellar, N7UK, ARES/RACES of King County
• Libe Napat, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service
• Pete Smith, N7BYP, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service
• Bruce Miller, KC7IAY, Public Information Coordinator, Western Washington ARRL
• John Gates, N7BTI, ESCA
• Ned Worcester, Seattle Public Utilities
• Terry Dettman, WX7S, Kirkland ARES/ACS, sponsored by City of Kirkland Emergency Management
• Mark Shepard, N7LYE, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service

Because we are renting facilities this year, the Academy is charging for admission. See the fees page.