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.

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:

• Kirk Bellar, N7UK, ARES/RACES of King County, DEC
• Alex Bertea, KG6JPJ, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service
• Brian Daly, WB7OML, W. WA Medical Services Communications, King Co. EC
• Lisa Marker, Shoreline ACS
• Bruce Miller, KC7IAY, Public Information Coordinator, Western Washington ARRL
• Mark Shepard, N7LYE, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service RACES Officer
• Pat Shiners, W7GTO, W. WA Medical Services Communications / Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service
• Marina Zuetell, N7LSL, Western Washington Medical Services Communications, ASEC.