VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "<gallery mode="nolines" gallery="" style="float:right; margin-right:10px;"> 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''''' </gallery> A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broke..."
 
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File:Communications Lifeline.png|'''''FEMA [https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/lifelines Community Lifeline] 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 14.01.03 is the position assigned to district level BEECN volunteer coordinators.
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 14.01.04 is the position assigned to a BEECN volunteer who operates a handheld UHF radio staged at a fire station.
:''See also:'' [[Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN)|BEECN Program Guidelines]]<br /> <br />
:''See also:'' [[Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN)|BEECN Program Guidelines]]<br /> <br />
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=== Summary ===
=== 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. Each BEECN District Coordinator is responsible for one of Portland's [https://www.portland.gov/transition/districtcommission/map four geographic districts]. In collaboration with PBEM staff and BEECN volunteers, the District Coordinator provides support and oversight to help maintain volunteer engagement and operational readiness at BEECN sites. This position acts as a liaison between [[VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator|BEECN Coordinators]] and PBEM's BEECN program manager, promoting consistent communication, logistical support, and alignment with BEECN program goals. This is a Blue Skies volunteer position; the position does not carry into response.
[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. Fire Station UHF Volunteers assist at designated fire stations and relay radio traffic coming from BEECNs to the fire station's HAM radio operator. Radio traffic may include 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.
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.
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|style="width: 50%; text-align: center; background-color:gray; color:white;"|'''During Grey 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 regular contact with all the other BEECN Coordinators in their district and organize them to participate in BEECN 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 district.
|style="background-color:skyblue; padding:15px;"|....stay in contact with their [[VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator|Coordinator]], participate in fire station kit equipment checks, exercises, and inventories. They make sure the UHF radio is ready for operation, and monitor the [https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=9094103decb2475885daa0b03ac13496 BEECN readiness score] for their assigned fire station.


|style="background-color:lightgray; padding:15px;"|...have no designated responsibilities in this position.
|style="background-color:lightgray; padding:15px;"|...report to the
|}
|}


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[[VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator]]
[[VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator]]
[[VSF 14.01.03: BEECN District Coordinator]]
[[VSF 02.02: Fire Station ARO]]
=== Responsibilities ===
=== Responsibilities ===


* Use contact information provided by PBEM to check in with district BEECN Coordinators and receive any feedback that should be relayed to PBEM.
*
* Ensure all BEECN Coordinators complete a BEECN Response Framework and keep it up to date.
* Follow up with BEECN Coordinators when their [[BEECN Journaling System|BEECN readiness score]] goes to 0%.
* Store BEECN supplies at their residence to use for replenishing ''or'' pick up needed cache supplies from PBEM.
* Keep a record of what supplies were placed in which caches, and transmit that record to PBEM.
* Encourage BEECN volunteers to participate in regular exercises.
* Represent PBEM professionally.
* Represent PBEM professionally.
* Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).
* Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).
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|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Position ID''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Position ID|※]]'''</sup>
|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 14.01.03: BEECN Coordinator'''</big>
|colspan=3 style="text-align: center; background: #13135a; color: white"|<big>'''VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF 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="background: #13135a; color: white" width="25%" |'''Mission Area <sup>[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Cycle Position|※]]</sup>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: firebrick; color: white" width="25%"|'''<big>Preparedness</big>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: darkgray; color: gainsboro" width="25%"|'''<big>Preparedness</big>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: darkgray; color: gainsboro" width="25%"|'''<big>Response</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>'''
|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: #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
|colspan=3 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="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]].
|colspan=3 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: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Structure''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Structure|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|During Blue Skies, BEECN Coordinators report to the BEECN District Coordinator in charge of their district. BEECN District Coordinators relay questions and concerns to PBEM staff, preferably via [mailto:beecn@portlandoregon.gov BEECN@portlandoregon.gov].
|colspan=3 style="background: white; padding: 10px"|
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|Ability to monitor and coordinate the activities of several small groups. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
|colspan=3 style="padding: 10px"|
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Licenses and Certifications''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Licenses and Certifications|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Licenses and Certifications''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Licenses and Certifications|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|Drivers license is recommended to transport supplies as needed.
|colspan=3 style="background: white; padding: 10px"|
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Currency''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Currency|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Currency''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Currency|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|Because all BEECN volunteers are indemnified, they '''''are''''' '''''required''''' to log their hours but '''''not''''' required to meet the [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|Minimum Service Contribution (MRC)]] unless they are also a NET volunteer.  
|colspan=3 style="padding: 10px"|Because all BEECN volunteers are indemnified, they '''''are''''' '''''required''''' to log their hours but '''''not''''' required to meet the [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|Minimum Service Contribution (MRC)]] unless they are also a NET volunteer.  
BEECN Volunteers are required to complete a [[Background Checks|criminal background check]] at the same frequency as NET volunteers.
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: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Physical Requirements''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Physical Requirements|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|None.  
|colspan=3 style="background: white; padding: 10px"|None.  
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Task Book''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Task Book|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Task Book''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Task Book|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|None at this time.
|colspan=3 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: #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:''' As this is a Blue Skies position, no PPE is needed.
|colspan=3 style="background: white; padding: 10px"|
'''Equipment:''' Not equipment exactly, but a BEECN District Coordinator should have the cache access information of each cache in their district and should keep that information secure.
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Forms''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Forms|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Forms''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Forms|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|None.
|colspan=3 style="padding: 10px"|
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Updated''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Updated|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Updated''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Updated|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|2025.03.29 ''(version 1.0)''
|colspan=3 style="background: white; padding: 10px"|2025.05.14 ''(version 1.0)''
|-
|-
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Released''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Released|※]]'''</sup>
|style="background: #13135a; color: white" width="105px"|'''Released''' <sup>'''[[PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions#Released|※]]'''</sup>
|style="padding: 10px"|2025.03.29
|colspan=3 style="padding: 10px"|2017.10.03
|}
|}


=== Training for VSF 14.01.03: BEECN District Coordinator ===
=== Training for VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF 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]].
<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%"
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%"
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|}
|}


=== VSF 14.01.03: BEECN District Coordinator Knowledge Base ===
=== VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer ===
''See [[VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer#VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base|VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base]]''
''See [[VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer#VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base|VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base]]''

Latest revision as of 14:59, 9 January 2026

A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF 14.01.04 is the position assigned to a BEECN volunteer who operates a handheld UHF radio staged at a fire station.

See also: BEECN Program Guidelines


Summary

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 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Fire Station UHF Volunteers assist at designated fire stations and relay radio traffic coming from BEECNs to the fire station's HAM radio operator. Radio traffic may include 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 ATV but are indemnified by the City of Portland either way.

Blue Skies/Grey Skies Summary
During Blue Skies, these volunteers... During Grey Skies, these volunteers...
....stay in contact with their Coordinator, participate in fire station kit equipment checks, exercises, and inventories. They make sure the UHF radio is ready for operation, and monitor the BEECN readiness score for their assigned fire station. ...report to the

Related Volunteer Positions

VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer

VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator

VSF 14.01.03: BEECN District Coordinator

VSF 02.02: Fire Station ARO

Responsibilities

  • Represent PBEM professionally.
  • Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).
Position ID ※ VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer
Mission Area ※ Preparedness Response Recovery
Lead Agency ※ Portland Bureau of Emergency Management
Active NET Required? ※ No; this position is available to ATVs.
Structure ※
Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities ※
Licenses and Certifications ※
Currency ※ Because all BEECN volunteers are indemnified, they are required to log their hours but not required to meet the Minimum Service Contribution (MRC) unless they are also a NET volunteer.

BEECN Volunteers are required to complete a criminal background check at the same frequency as NET volunteers.

Physical Requirements ※ None.
Task Book ※ None at this time.
PPE and Recommended Equipment ※
Forms ※
Updated ※ 2025.05.14 (version 1.0)
Released ※ 2017.10.03

Training for VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer

Important note: ONLY the trainings listed as REQUIRED are required! 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 Position Descriptions: Training Section.

Training or Resource Type Delivery Duration Learning Objective
Basic BEECN Training Required Online 1.5 hours Summarizes BEECN Guidelines and prepares a new volunteer for working with their BEECN cohort. This training is important for a district coordinator so they can anticipate the needs and expectations of BEECN volunteers.
Hours Logging Training Required Online 1 minute For BEECN volunteers to learn how to log their service hours in their MyImpact profile.
BEECN Journaling System and Dashboard Required Online N/A The District Coordinator should have a complete understanding of how the journaling system and scoring index works. This will help them make strategic decisions on improving the BEECN Readiness Score for their district.
BEECN Volunteer Position Descriptions Required Online N/A District Coordinators should review the position descriptions for the other BEECN volunteers in order to anticipate needs.
IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System 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.
IS-242: Effective Communication 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.
IS-2901: Introduction to Community Lifelines 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.
Basic NET or CERT (certification) Optional In-person 24 hours Basic NET/CERT training provides more and varied disaster response skills and situational awareness to BEECN volunteers.
NET Leadership Curricula Supplemental Online Supplemental leadership curricula for leading volunteers.
Portland Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP) Supplemental Online N/A 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.
BEECN Guidelines Supplemental Online N/A 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.
BEECN on Tumblr Supplemental Online N/A Media articles tagged as relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.
BEECN video content Supplemental Online N/A Video content relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.

VSF 14.01.04: Fire Station UHF Volunteer

See VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer Knowledge Base

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