Operations at Fire Stations: Difference between revisions

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{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="float:right; width:25%; margin-left:10px; border-collapse:collapse;"
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="float:right; width:25%; margin-left:10px; border-collapse:collapse;"
| style="background:#72452d; color:white; text-align: center; border:2px solid white;"| '''<big>BEECN Guidelines [[Main_Page#SECTION 800: Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication_Nodes (BEECN)|↱]]</big>'''
| style="background:#72452d; color:white; text-align: center; border:2px solid white;"| '''<big>BEECN Guidelines</big>'''
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN)|Introduction]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN)|Introduction]]
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[Operations at Fire Stations]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[Operations at Fire Stations]]
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| style="background:#e9ae97; text-align: center; border:2px solid white;"|'''<big>[[Main_Page#SECTION 800: Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication_Nodes (BEECN)|Back to Main Guidelines ↱]]</big>'''
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This section steps volunteers through what to do when deployed to a fire station to support BEECNs in an emergency or during an exercise. Operations for volunteers who deploy to BEECN sites are covered in [[Operations at BEECN Sites]].
This section steps volunteers through what to do when deployed to a fire station to support BEECNs in an emergency or during an exercise. Operations for volunteers who deploy to BEECN sites are covered in [[Operations at BEECN Sites]].
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<div class="noautonum">
__TOC__
__TOC__
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</div>
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== Fire Station Operations Basics ==
== Fire Station Operations Basics ==
[[Operations at Fire Stations#Orange Go-Kits|The]] BEECN system is a ''hierarchical'' network of communication nodes, with the objective of passing radio messages between neighborhoods and the EOC. The foundation of the network is the 50 BEECN UHF handheld radios transmitting from every area of Portland. Each BEECN has a primary relay point, which is the [[Operations at Fire Stations#Orange Go-Kits|VHF Orange Go-Kit]] at the nearest fire station. Radio messages are then relayed from the fire station up to the EOC. Radio messages also come ''from'' the EOC ''to'' the BEECNs.
The BEECN system is a ''hierarchical'' network of communication nodes, with the objective of passing radio messages between neighborhoods and the EOC. The foundation of the network is the 50 BEECN UHF handheld radios transmitting from every area of Portland. Each BEECN has a primary relay point, which is the [[Operations at Fire Stations#Orange Go-Kits|VHF Orange Go-Kit]] at the nearest fire station. Radio messages are then relayed from the fire station up to the EOC. Radio messages also come ''from'' the EOC ''to'' the BEECNs.


<span style="background:#FFFF00">'''BEECN fire station volunteers have only one primary response objective: to pass radio traffic between BEECNs and the EOC.'''</span> All other response objectives are secondary to this.
<span style="background:#FFFF00">'''BEECN fire station volunteers have only one primary response objective: to pass radio traffic between BEECNs and the EOC.'''</span> All other response objectives are secondary to this.
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| colspan="3" |...and the cycle continues until BEECNs are de-activated by PBEM or the BEECN cohort can no longer continue.
| colspan="3" |...and the cycle continues until BEECNs are de-activated by PBEM or the BEECN cohort can no longer continue.
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=== Step 3: Commence exchanging radio traffic ===
=== Step 3: Commence exchanging radio traffic ===
Regular radio traffic and monitoring commences. The BEECN Net Controller will contact each fire station periodically for status reports.
Regular radio traffic and monitoring commences. The BEECN Net Controller will contact each fire station periodically for status reports.
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== Exchanging Radio Traffic: Fire Stations ==
== Exchanging Radio Traffic: Fire Stations ==
=== Prowords ===
VHF radio operators should use the most current radio prowords. A table is available at: [[Prowords for Traffic Handling]] (which is a more detailed table than BEECN handheld radio operators are expected to use).


=== Channel Assignments ===
=== Channel Assignments ===
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=== Amateur Radio Script for Fire Station ARO to Net Control ===
=== Amateur Radio Script for Fire Station ARO to Net Control ===
==== OPERATIONS SCRIPT 1: Resource Net Control to Fire Stations ====
During BEECN exercises and operations, please listen for and use the following script. Text in [ALL CAPITAL LETTERS] should be replaced by specific information.  Other [text in square brackets] describes an action to be taken by the operator. <span style="background:#FFFF00">'''Click "Expand" to view the script.'''</span>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
|-
| OPENING
| Good [morning/afternoon], this is [NAME], [CALLSIGN],net control for the Multnomah County ARES/Portland NET team resource net.
This is a directed net, and all stations are asked to remain on frequency until directed by net control. This net will run until approximately [TIME] today and is a coordinating hub for Portland NET radio operators deploying to fire stations for the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management BEECN [drill/operations] today.
This is only an exercise. Stations are asked to check in with their callsign spelled phonetically and their fire station number. Station wishing to check into the net please come now.
[Record each check in callsign and fire station number]
Do we have any other stations wishing to check in to this resource net?
|-
|TO TACTICAL
|[When all stations are checked in, call [TACTICAL NET CONTROLLER CALLSIGN] and ask if they are ready to open he Tactical Net on 144.410 Megahertz.]
All stations should now move to 144.410 Megahertz, which should be Channel 20 on your radio. Please return to this frequency at the end of the [drill/operational period] to check out.
|-
| CHECK-INS
| Every 10 minutes recite: This is [NAME], {CALLSIGN], net control for the Multnomah County ARES/Portland NET team drill resource net. Are there any stations wishing to check in?
When stations return from the [tactical net], tell them they are free to secure and thank them for their participation today. Record check outs and time.
|-
| CLOSING NET
| This is [NAME], [CALLSIGN], net control for the Multnomah County ARES/ Portland NET teams resource net. Thank you to all stations who participated in this [drill/operation] and to all other stations who stood by to give us a clear operating frequency. We also thank the Hoodview Amateur Radio Club for the use of this repeater. All stations may now secure. This net is closed at [TIME] and the frequency is now returned to normal amateur radio use. [CALLSIGN] clear.
|}
==== OPERATIONS SCRIPT 2: Tactical Net Control to Fire Stations ====
During BEECN exercises and operations, please listen for and use the following script. This script is used when fire stations checking into the control net are moved to the tactical net. Text in [ALL CAPITAL LETTERS] should be replaced by specific information.  Other [text in square brackets] describes an action to be taken by the operator. <span style="background:#FFFF00">'''Click "Expand" to view the script.'''</span>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
|-
|OPENING||This is [NAME], [CALLSIGN] as W7ECC, City of Portland Emergency Coordination Center establishing net control for a Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node exercise. This exercise will last until approximately [TIME] and will involve communication between the City of Portland Emergency Coordination Center and various Fire Stations located in the city of Portland. This is only an exercise.
This is a directed net, and all stations are asked to remain on frequency until excused by net control. Only stations directly involved with this training exercise are asked to check in.
Stations are asked to check in with their tactical call sign, amateur operator call signs at their location, power source and presence or absence of the BEECN UHF radio operator at their location.
Call for first fire station, e.g. “Fire station 04 (‘zero four’)?”
|-
|FS CHECK-IN
|Per example [FS 04:] This is Fire Station 04, [CALLSIGN]. Operating on [battery power (or 120V mains, generator or other as appropriate)]. The BEECN UHF Operator is on station and ready/the BEECN UHF operator is not on station at this time]. Fire station #, {amateur call}.
[Net Control continues for each Fire station.]
Net Control: Are there any other fire stations that haven’t checked in yet? Please check in now. [all other fire stations begin checking in]
Net Control: All stations, please monitor your UHF radio and be ready to receive check-ins from your assigned BEECNs and monitor this frequency for further instructions from net control. This is net control, W7ECC. This is an exercise.
|-
| CHECK-INS
|[ID Every 10 Minutes] This is W7ECC, net control for the PBEM BEECN net. This is an exercise.
[ID Every 30 Minutes] Exercise, Exercise. This is W7ECC, net control for the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node exercise. This net will be active until approximately [TIME] and will involve communication between the City of Portland Emergency Coordination Center and various Fire Stations located in the City of Portland. Amateur operators not involved in the exercise are asked to use an alternate frequency unless they have emergency traffic. This is only an exercise. Net Control, W7ECC.
|-
|CLOSING NET
|[As stations secure, remind them to call net control on MC-2 and check themselves out of the resource net, and remove the batteries from UHF radios.]
This is W7ECC, Net Control station, closing the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node exercise net. After your station has secured from this tactical net please check out on the resource net on the MC-2 frequency. Thanks to all stations who participated today and to those who stood by to give us a clear operating frequency. The K7RPT repeater is owned and operated by the Amateur Radio Relay Group and permission for its use is greatly appreciated by Multnomah County ARES.
This is [CALLSIGN], signing the net clear at [TIME] local. This repeater is now returned to general amateur use.
|}
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== BEECN Demobilization at Fire Stations ==
== BEECN Demobilization at Fire Stations ==


# Use the CLOSING NET scripts in the BEECN scripts.
# Use the CLOSING NET scripts in the [[Operations at Fire Stations#Amateur Radio Script for Fire Station ARO to Net Control|BEECN scripts]].
# Re-pack all equipment inside the orange Pelican case. If any equipment is missing, volunteers should indicate that at the end of the log along with any explanation as to why the equipment is missing. Volunteers may then leave the log inside the orange Pelican case, for PBEM to pick up later.
# Re-pack all equipment inside the orange Pelican case. If any equipment is missing, volunteers should indicate that at the end of the log along with any explanation as to why the equipment is missing. Volunteers may then leave the log inside the orange Pelican case, for PBEM to pick up later.
# Volunteers should next return the Go-Kit to its storage area at the fire station and let PF&R staff at the station know that BEECN activities have ceased.
# Volunteers should next return the Go-Kit to its storage area at the fire station and let PF&R staff at the station know that BEECN activities have ceased.
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== Orange Go-Kits ==
[[File:Orange Go Kit.jpg|thumb|''An Orange Go-Kit.''|430x430px]]
{{#ev:youtube|hKDSe1Igz14|430|right|'''''Video: How to set up an Orange Go-Kit'''''|frame}}
Every fire station in Portland is equipped with a VHF amateur radio called an "Orange Go-Kit" and an external antenna. This is the radio that an ARO at a fire station uses to communicate with Portland's EOC.


== APPENDIX: Fire Station BEECN Channel Guide ==
Each kit includes a notebook with setup and operations instructions; therefore, set up information is not covered here. A video covering kit setup is also available in this article.
The following table indicates which BEECNs each fire station will communicate with and the UHF channel to use:


See [[BEECN Scripts]].
Each Go-Kit fits into an orange 1550 Pelican Case ([[Media:1550 Protector Case Pelican Official Store.pdf|spec sheet]]) and includes:


{| class="wikitable"
|+ Go-Kit Inventory
! Image
! Item
!Image
!Item
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Radio.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" | VHF radio (Icom IC-2100H/IC-2200H)
[[Media:IC-2200H.pdf|User manual]]
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:J Pole.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |J-pole roll-up VHF Antenna
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Microphone.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Microphone
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |BNC to SO-239 adapter (for J-pole roll-up antenna)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:OK Power Supply.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |AC power supply (Astron SS-25M)
[[Media:Astron SS-25M Datasheet-2021-0524.pdf|Spec sheet]]
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Extension Cord.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Extension cord, 50' (qty. 2)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Coax Cable.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Coax cable, 25'
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Extension Cord.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Extension cord,  100'
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |SO-239 female-to-female barrel adapter (for combining coax cable)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Pencil Pouch.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Zippered pouch (container for small items; includes pencils and pencil sharpeners)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Small screwdrivers (1 flat, 1 Phillips)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |AC ground adapter plug
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:DC power cable.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |DC power cable (links power supply to radio)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |AC power cable
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |20 amp fuse (for radio power cables)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Radio operation manual
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Car Cables.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Car battery power cable (w/clips for powering radio from a car battery)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Notebook with inventory, operations instructions frequency list, city map
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Car Cord.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Cigarette lighter adapter (to install the radio in a car)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Car Radio Anteena.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Magnetic mount whip antenna
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN Radio.png|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |UHF handheld BEECN radio
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:Battery Tester.jpg|center|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Battery tester
|}
=== Fire Station Antenna Hookup ===
[[File:2016.10.02.Antenna Box.jpg|thumb|''An antenna hookup box outside a fire station, for use with the Orange Go-Kit.'']]
Every fire station is also equipped with a hookup to the antenna installed on the fire station roof. Almost always, these hookups are in a metal box on the outside of the fire station.<br />
<br />


== APPENDIX: Fire Station BEECN Channel Guide ==
The following table indicates which BEECNs each fire station will communicate with and the UHF channel to use:


{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 65%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 65%;"
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== Orange Go-Kits ==
[[File:Orange Go Kit.jpg|thumb|''An Orange Go-Kit.''|430x430px]]
{{#ev:youtube|hKDSe1Igz14|430|right|'''''Video: How to set up an Orange Go-Kit'''''|frame}}
Every fire station in Portland is equipped with a VHF amateur radio called an "Orange Go-Kit" and an external antenna. This is the radio that an ARO at a fire station uses to communicate with Portland's EOC.
Each kit includes a notebook with setup and operations instructions; therefore, set up information is not covered here. A video covering kit setup is also available in this article.
Each Go-Kit includes:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Go-Kit Inventory
! Image
! Item
!Image
!Item
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" | VHF radio (Icom IC-2100H/IC-2200H)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |J-pole roll-up VHF Antenna
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Microphone
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |AC ground adapter plug
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |AC power supply (Astron SS-25M)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Extension cord, 50' (qty. 2)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Coax cable, 25'
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Pencils
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Coax cable,  100'
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Pencil sharpeners
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |BNC to SO-239 adapter (for J-pole roll-up antenna)
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Zippered pouch (container for small items)
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |SO-239 female-to-female barrel adapter (for combining coax cable)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Small screwdrivers (1 flat, 1 Phillips)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |AC power cable
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Radio operation manual
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |DC power cable (links power supply to radio)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |20 amp fuse (for radio power cables)
|-
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Car battery power cable (w/clips for powering radio from a car battery)
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Notebook with inventory, operations instructions frequency list, city map
|-
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: #ddd2cd;" |Cigarette lighter adapter (to install the radio in a car)
| style="background-color: white;" |[[File:BEECN TBA.jpg|75x75px]]
| style="background-color: white;" |Magnetic mount whip antenna
|}
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== Notes and References ==
== Notes and References ==
<references />
<references />
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