View source for PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions/Standard Position Description Template

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File:VSF 14 Public Information.emblem.png|'''''VSF icon'''''
File:Communications Lifeline.png|'''''FEMA [https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/lifelines Community Lifeline] icon'''''
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A [[Volunteer Support Functions Introduction and Directory|Volunteer Support Function (VSF)]] is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF 14.01.01 is the position assigned to general BEECN volunteers.
:''See also:'' [[Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN)|BEECN Program Guidelines]]<br /> <br />
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=== Summary ===
[https://www.portland.gov/beecn BEECN] volunteers operate in organized cohorts, perform regular equipment checks, participate in drills, and deploy communication nodes (BEECNs) 24–48 hours after a major earthquake.

A Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (BEECN) Volunteer plays a vital role in disaster response by establishing communication between neighborhoods and Portland’s [[PBEM Emergency Operations Center (EOC)|Emergency Operations Center]] (EOC) in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Volunteers assist at designated BEECN sites to relay critical information, such as scene stabilization information, emergency requests, and damage reports, using durable communication systems.

BEECN Volunteers are the only PBEM volunteers who can be a NET volunteer '''''or''''' an [[Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs)|ATV]] but are [[Indemnification|indemnified]] by the City of Portland either way.
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%"
|+
! colspan="2" style="background-color:white;" |[[Acronyms and Technical Terms Used in PBEM Community Resilience Programs|<big>Blue Skies/Grey Skies Summary</big>]]
|-
| style="width: 50%; text-align: center; background-color:deepskyblue;" |'''During Blue Skies, these volunteers...'''
| style="width: 50%; text-align: center; background-color:gray; color:white;" |'''During Grey Skies, these volunteers...'''
|-
| style="background-color:skyblue; padding:15px;" |...stay in contact with their BEECN Coordinator, participate in BEECN equipment checks, exercises, and inventories. They help keep caches adequately supplied, and monitor the [https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=9094103decb2475885daa0b03ac13496 BEECN readiness score] for their assigned BEECN.

| style="background-color:lightgray; padding:15px;" |...deploy to their BEECN site, set up the radio, and begin  exchanging messages with their primary relay.
|}
=== Related Volunteer Positions ===
[[VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator]]

[[VSF 14.01.03: BEECN District Coordinator]]

[[VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer]]

[[VSF 02.02: Fire Station ARO]]

=== Responsibilities ===

* Deploy to assigned BEECN sites within 24–48 hours following a major earthquake.
* Set up communication equipment, including handheld radios and tents, at BEECN locations.
* Relay and log emergency messages between the public and emergency responders via radio.
* Conduct periodic checks and inventory of BEECN caches to ensure readiness.
* Participate in scheduled training, drills, and activation exercises to maintain operational competence.
* Represent PBEM professionally and follow safety and operational guidelines at all times.
* Log all volunteer hours.

{|class="wikitable" style="width: 50%"
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Position ID''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Position ID|※]]'''</sup>
|style="text-align: center; background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>'''VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer'''</big>
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%; "
|+
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="25%" |'''Mission Area <sup>[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Cycle Position|※]]</sup>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: darkgray; color: gainsboro" width="25%"|'''<big>Preparedness</big>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: firebrick; color: white" width="25%"|'''<big>Response</big>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: darkgray; color: gainsboro" width="25%"|'''<big>Recovery</big>'''
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%"
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Lead Agency''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Lead Agency|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|Portland Bureau of Emergency Management
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Active NET Required?''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Active NET Required?|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|No; this position is available to [[Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs)|ATVs]].
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Structure''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Structure|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|The BEECN Volunteer is part of a BEECN Cohort, and the BEECN Volunteer reports to the BEECN Coordinator for their assigned BEECN.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|Hand held UHF radio operation. Ability to remain cool headed in intense situations. First aid is also helpful, but not as important as the other skills listed.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Licenses and Certifications''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Licenses and Certifications|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|None required.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Currency''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Currency|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|BEECN volunteers must be in touch with their BEECN Coordinator and appear on the roster of their BEECN Response Framework. They should also participate in BEECN inventories and exercises as their time allows. Because all BEECN volunteers are indemnified, they '''''are''''' '''''required''''' to log their hours but '''''not''''' required to meet the twelve hour [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|Minimum Service Contribution (MRC)]] unless they are also a NET volunteer. However, t'''hey should log at least one hour each calendar year minimum''' to remain in active status.
BEECN volunteers are required to complete a [[Background Checks|criminal background check]] at the same frequency as NET volunteers.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Physical Requirements''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Physical Requirements|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|A BEECN volunteer must be inside a 20-minute walk or bike ride of the BEECN they are assigned to. They should be able to access BEECN equipment from storage and move it to the BEECN site with the assistance of at least one other person.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Task Book''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Task Book|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|None at this time.
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''PPE and Recommended Equipment''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#PPE and Recommended Equipment|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|'''PPE:''' Weather appropriate clothes. BEECN volunteers should wear the hard hats and vests found in their BEECN cache when conducting BEECN operations.
'''Equipment:''' All the equipment a BEECN volunteer needs should be in their [[BEECN Caches|BEECN Cache]].
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Forms''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Forms|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|[[Operations at BEECN Sites#Deployment Planning: the BEECN Response Framework|BEECN Response Framework]]
[[NET Incident Command System (ICS) Forms#NET Form 6: Communications Log|NET Form 6: Communications Log]]
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Updated''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Updated|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|2025.01.15 ''(version 2.0)''
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Released''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Released|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|2017.10.03
|}

=== Training for VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer ===
<mark>'''Important note: ONLY the trainings listed as REQUIRED are required!'''</mark> Optional training and supplemental resources are presented as a path for a volunteer to increase their knowledge and confidence carrying out their volunteer responsibilities. However, no volunteer's Active status depends on completing training marked as "Optional" or "Supplemental". For more information, please visit the article on [[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Training Section|Position Descriptions: Training Section]].
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%"
|+
!style="background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>Training or Resource</big>
!style="background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>Type</big>
!style="background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>Delivery</big>
!style="background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>Duration</big>
!style="background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>Learning Objective</big>
|-
|Basic BEECN Orientation
|style="background: #d35d30; color: white"|'''Required'''
|Online
|1.5 hours
|Summarizes BEECN Guidelines and prepares a new volunteer for working with their BEECN cohort.
|-
|[https://vimeo.com/923165829 Hours Logging Training]
|style="background: #d35d30; color: white"|'''Required'''
|Online
|1 minute
|For BEECN volunteers to learn how to log their service hours in their MyImpact profile.
|-
|[https://vimeo.com/678843961?share=copy BEECN Radio Training]
|style="background: #d35d30; color: white"|'''Required'''
|Online
|2 minutes
|Brief video on how to use the handheld BEECN UHF radio.
|-
|[https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=is-100.c&lang=en IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System]
|style="background: #e9ae97"|Optional
|Online
|2.0 hours
|Course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. Knowing the basics of ICS can give BEECN volunteers context to the City's overall response effort.
|-
|Crowd Management
| style="background: #e9ae97" |Optional
|Online or in-person
|2.0 hours
|'''Not to be confused with "Crowd Control".''' It is possible that large numbers of people will visit the BEECN Site. Crowd management training helps BEECN volunteers guide the behavior and movement of crowds.
|-
|Mental Health Crisis De-escalation
| style="background: #e9ae97" |Optional
|In-person
|3.0 hours
|If an individual visiting a BEECN Site is in a state of agitation, this training helps volunteers identify the precipitants of agitated behavior, the importance of non-verbal communication, and skills/strategies to manage an agitated person.
|-
|[https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-242.c&lang=en IS-242: Effective Communication]
|style="background: #e9ae97"|Optional
|Online
|8.0 hours
|This course covers basic communication skills, how to communicate in an emergency, how to identify community-specific communication issues, using technology as a communication tool, and effective oral communication. Not every sub-topic in this course is relevant to the responsibilities of a BEECN volunteer.
|-
|[https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-2901&lang=en IS-2901: Introduction to Community Lifelines]
|style="background: #e9ae97"|Optional
|Online
|1.0 hours
|Introduces the FEMA Community Lifelines construct, an outcome-driven response structure used to achieve incident stabilization. PBEM uses Community Lifelines, and knowing them will help BEECN volunteers communicate more effectively with the EOC.
|-
|First Aid (certification)
|style="background: #e9ae97"|Optional
|In-person
|6.5 hours
|Instructs volunteers how to preserve life, prevent further injury or deterioration, and promote recovery by providing immediate, temporary care to an injured or ill person. The BEECN caches include first aid supplies, and first aid certification can help BEECN volunteers use and/or distribute them effectively.
|-
|Basic NET or CERT (certification)
| style="background: #e9ae97" |Optional
|In-person
|24 hours
|Basic NET/CERT training provides more and varied disaster response skills and situational awareness to BEECN volunteers.
|}

=== VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%"
|+
!<big>File/Resource</big>
!<big>Description</big>
!Author
!Publish Date
|-
|[[Main_Page#SECTION_800:_Basic_Earthquake_Emergency_Communication_Nodes_(BEECN)|BEECN Guidelines]]
|The BEECN Guidelines is the "blueprint" for the BEECN program and covers the nuances of program policies. A regular BEECN volunteer doesn't need to know the Guidelines to carry out their responsibilities, but reviewing them will enhance knowledge and provide a more complete picture of the program.
|PBEM
|2017.10.03
|-
|[[Recommended Video Content|BEECN video content]]
|Video content relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.
|PBEM
| - 
|-
|[https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/tagged/beecn BEECN on Tumblr]
|Media articles tagged as relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.
|PBEM
| - 
|-
|[https://www.portland.gov/pbem/documents/basic-emergency-operations-plan-beop-2016/download Portland Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP)]
|The BEOP is the framework that governs how the City of Portland responds in the aftermath of a major disaster. Being familiar with it can provide BEECN volunteers with heightened situational awareness.
|PBEM
|2016.02.15
|-
|[https://seattleemergencyhubs.org/ Seattle Emergency Hubs]
|One of the programs that BEECN was based on. Summary videos are [https://youtu.be/bTg2plSt1NY HERE] and [https://youtu.be/icXq279CmXs HERE].
|
|2014
|-
|[https://english.elpais.com/society/2025-05-06/hollywoods-big-lie-about-disasters-in-crises-like-spains-blackout-the-natural-reaction-is-generosity-not-panic.html Hollywood’s big lie about disasters: In crises like Spain’s blackout, the natural reaction is generosity, not panic]
|Case study reflecting that survivors are more inclined to help other survivors in a disaster, countering assumptions that people behave badly towards each other. 
|Javier Salas / [https://english.elpais.com/ El Pais]
|2025.05.06
|-
|[https://www.pps.org/article/where-we-go-when-everything-breaks-placemaking-lessons-from-ashevilles-recovery Where We Go When Everything Breaks: Placemaking Lessons from Asheville's Recovery]
|Case study about how usual social spaces become key to disaster recovery, which is a principle idea behind BEECN.
|Project for Public Spaces/Ryan Smolar
|2025.05.16
|}