Apply to join WICEN NSW

About WICEN NSW

WICEN NSW is always looking for new members who are willing to assist the community with its communication needs. WICEN operates on both amateur and commercial frequencies. An amateur radio licence is highly desirable and will give you the authority to operate on amateur frequencies, but it is not required to apply. You also do not need to own portable radio communications equipment.

If you have an interest in radio communications, whatever your present qualifications or experience, WICEN would welcome your involvement.

As well as assisting other agencies during emergencies, WICEN provides support communications for community events throughout the year. The more members we have, the better able we are to serve the community. WICEN members enjoy insurance cover during emergency events, training exercises, and field and radio room operations.

VRA Rescue NSW

WICEN is a Specialist Squad of VRA Rescue NSW. VRA Rescue NSW is a primary responder for road crash rescue, general land rescue, vertical rescue, and other specialist rescue work encountered by emergency service personnel. VRA also includes other Specialist Squads such as Cave Rescue and NSW Ski Patrol.

VRA Rescue NSW is accredited by the Minister for Emergency Services through the NSW State Rescue Board. As such, VRA and WICEN are governed by procedures and policies of the NSW Government.

Joining Process

There are a number of steps involved in joining WICEN NSW and the process can take up to six months. This online application is the first step. During the application, you will be asked to provide your details, read and acknowledge the WICEN rules of association, the WICEN privacy policy, and VRA Service Standard 1.1 - Code of Conduct and Ethics, then sign your application electronically.

Your application should include a proposer and, if available, a seconder who are current WICEN members. If you do not know any current members, you can still submit the application and the Secretary or Membership Officer will follow up.

After your application is received, a meet and greet will be arranged. This will preferably be face to face, but can be organised online if necessary. Probationary membership can then be granted and the annual membership fee, currently $25, will be due.

After Applying

The next step involves completing the VRA Rescue NSW member onboarding process, submitting to a National Police Check, and providing a current Working with Children Check. This will involve providing various forms of ID for verification. Copies of ID are not kept. Members are required to provide ID documents in person to a WICEN Committee Member or WICEN authorised Regional Member to verify identity.

VRA will then undertake the appropriate checks. If successful, you will be issued with a VRA SAP number, which is your VRA/WICEN ID number. You then become a full Squad Support/Non-Operational member. This entitles you to volunteer and be part of many community events where WICEN provides radio communications.

Progression to Operational status requires completion of training modules and regular participation in community events. The Committee and Event Commanders review individual requests before a member becomes Operational.

Membership Types

WICEN has approximately 150 financial members, of which around 40 are Operational Members. The remainder are Support or Non-Operational members. We acknowledge that the majority of our membership are Support Members.

Fully Operational membership carries the responsibility of being available at short notice, spending time away from home, and working in stressful situations, such as the 2019/2020 bushfires and previous search and rescue operations.