Founding-stage volunteer organisation
Emergency communications support when normal systems are not enough.
UKRCS is building a UK volunteer emergency communications capability with trained operators, portable communications, field networking, incident IT and resilient power to support communities and organisations during disruption, exercises and suitable public-benefit activities.
Explore UKRCS emergency communications support →
Important: UKRCS is not an emergency service and does not replace 999, 112,
police, fire, ambulance, local authorities or telecommunications providers.
About UKRCS
Use the best available technology, not just one technology.
UK Resilient Communications Service is an independent volunteer initiative focused on practical communications resilience. Our approach is technology-neutral: use fixed internet when it works, cellular when it is useful, satellite when terrestrial services fail, radio where lawful and appropriate, and local/offline systems when no external network is available.
We are designing UKRCS around trained operators, tested procedures, documented call-out processes, portable infrastructure and graceful fallback when systems fail.
Unit 001
Founding progress
UKRCS is currently being formed. These figures are founding targets, not a claim of current operational capability.
Current phase
Organisation Formation
1Form organisationCurrent phase
2Recruit founding teamNext
3Acquire equipmentPlanned
4Train & exercisePlanned
5Operational readinessFuture milestone
Capabilities
What UKRCS is being built to provide
📻
Radio
Portable voice and data capability using appropriately licensed radio services.
Radio and satellite capability →🌐
Field networking
Temporary wired and wireless networks for operational and partner use.
Field networking and incident IT →🛰️
Satellite
Independent connectivity where terrestrial backhaul is unavailable or unsuitable.
How resilient links are planned →💻
Incident IT
Managed laptops, local services, logging, mapping and offline operational tools.
🔋
Resilient power
Battery-backed communications power, charging, DC distribution and endurance planning.
👥
Trained operators
Volunteers who deploy, operate, log, troubleshoot and safely recover communications systems.
Volunteer
Help build UKRCS Unit 001.
We are looking for people interested in communications, networking, IT, radio, resilient power, logistics, training, governance and community resilience.
- Communications Operator training
- Radio, networking, IT and power specialist pathways
- Exercises and practical field deployments
- Governance, administration and logistics roles
Request support
Communications support for suitable organisations.
Once operational, UKRCS will consider requests from charities, community organisations, voluntary-sector partners, local authorities, event organisers and other appropriate bodies.
Immediate danger?
If there is an immediate threat to life and normal emergency communications are available, call 999 or 112.
Support UKRCS
Help us create the first deployable communications unit.
Our current founding target is approximately £10,000 to establish governance, training, insurance, equipment, exercises and Unit 001 operational readiness.
Support the £10,000 founding campaign£2,500Organisation formed
£5,000Unit 001 build
£7,500Operational readiness
£10,000Full Year 1 target
Governance & trust
Clear boundaries, accountable behaviour
UKRCS is still in its founding stage. We are publishing core governance and conduct information early so volunteers, partners and members of the public can understand how the organisation intends to operate.
01
Governance
How UKRCS is being structured, where responsibility sits, and what remains in development.
Read governance information → 02Safeguarding
Our founding safeguarding principles, reporting route and immediate-risk guidance.
Read safeguarding statement → 03Code of Conduct
The behaviour, professionalism and boundaries expected from anyone representing UKRCS.
Read the code → 04Complaints
How concerns about UKRCS conduct, communications or decisions can be raised and reviewed.
Read complaints process →
Organisational status
Founding-stage volunteer organisation
UKRCS is not currently presented as a statutory body, emergency service, or fully operational national response organisation. Public information will be updated as governance, insurance, training and operational readiness develop.
FAQ
Common questions
Is UKRCS an emergency service?
No. UKRCS is a volunteer communications-support organisation and does not confer statutory or emergency-service powers on members.
Do I need an amateur radio licence to volunteer?
No. Some radio activities require relevant licensing, but UKRCS also needs networking, IT, power, logistics, training and governance volunteers.
Can UKRCS replace normal internet or mobile networks?
No. The aim is to provide resilient alternatives and temporary communications support when ordinary services are unavailable, degraded or unsuitable.
Can I call UKRCS instead of 999?
No. Where normal emergency communications are available, use 999 or 112 for immediate threats to life.
Contact