Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN): Difference between revisions
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In the event of a major earthquake, Portland’s communication systems—such as cell phones, landlines, and the internet—are likely to fail due to the damage caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. As a result, many neighborhoods will be cut off from emergency responders, making it difficult for residents to receive information or request help. | In the event of a major earthquake, Portland’s communication systems—such as cell phones, landlines, and the internet—are likely to fail due to the damage caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. As a result, many neighborhoods will be cut off from emergency responders, making it difficult for residents to receive information or request help. | ||
To address this, the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (BEECN) program provides 50 communication sites throughout Portland, where volunteers and city employees use durable amateur radio systems ( | To address this, the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (BEECN) program provides 50 communication sites throughout Portland, where volunteers and city employees use durable amateur radio systems (HAM radio) to relay messages between local neighborhoods and the city’s [[PBEM Emergency Operations Center (EOC)|Emergency Operations Center (EOC)]]. '''Within 24 to 48 hours after the quake,''' BEECNs enable two-way communication, allowing residents to report damage, injuries, or request assistance, while also receiving critical response and resource information. These sites are not for emergency supplies or medical services, but rely on community volunteers to ensure their success and facilitate effective communication during a disaster. | ||
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In September 2012, Portland [[wikipedia:Sam_Adams_(Oregon_politician)|Mayor Sam Adams]] directed the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management to design and implement the BEECN program. The initial idea came from Mayor Adams himself after observing a similar program in Seattle. Mayor Adams instructed PBEM to fully deploy the program before December 31 of that year with 48 sites (two more sites were added later, for a total of 50). | In September 2012, Portland [[wikipedia:Sam_Adams_(Oregon_politician)|Mayor Sam Adams]] directed the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management to design and implement the BEECN program. The initial idea came from Mayor Adams himself after observing a similar program in Seattle. Mayor Adams instructed PBEM to fully deploy the program before December 31 of that year with 48 sites (two more sites were added later, for a total of 50). | ||
With only three months to implement, PBEM Operations Manager David Blitzer | With only three months to implement, PBEM Operations Manager David Blitzer and new hire Jeremy Van Keuren jumped into a truck and scoured the city to scope out site locations. It was like the worst 80s buddy cop movie ever, but they nailed down 50 locations. Meanwhile, the [https://rdpo.net Regional Disaster Policy Organization] mobilized to assist funding the program. Thanks to their work, the 2010 [https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/homeland-security UASI grant] would provide $151,496 to start BEECN. The Mayor's Office contributed an additional $60,000 to market the program by sending a BEECN postcard to every home and business in the City of Portland. The postcards dropped in early December 2012. Mayor Adams officially kicked the program off on December 10, and held a press conference two days later. | ||
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|2013.03.16 | |2013.03.16 | ||
|[https://vimeo.com/863462342 First test of the BEECN system] | |[https://vimeo.com/863462342 First test of the BEECN system] | ||
|- | |||
|2013.05.22 | |||
|PACE Setter, the first citywide BEECN test incorporating all BEECN resources | |||
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|2015.10.09 | |2015.10.09 | ||
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|2019.07.24 | |2019.07.24 | ||
|Installation of the first [[BEECN_Caches#BEECN_Mark_II|Mark II BEECN cache]], in east Portland. | |Installation of the first [[BEECN_Caches#BEECN_Mark_II|Mark II BEECN cache]], in east Portland | ||
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|2020.12.10 | |||
|Reached 50% of the total minimum volunteers needed to operate the BEECN system at 100% | |||
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|2023.04.13 | |||
|Debut of the [https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=9094103decb2475885daa0b03ac13496 BEECN Dashboard] | |||
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|2024.01.25 | |2024.01.25 | ||
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===== Q: How do I get a BEECN site in my neighborhood? ===== | ===== Q: How do I get a BEECN site in my neighborhood? ===== | ||
''A: You already have one! With the exception of the Forest Park area, every BEECN site is inside a 20-minute walk of every Portland home ( | ''A: You already have one! With the exception of the Forest Park area, every BEECN site is inside a 20-minute walk of every Portland home (PBEM used the Portland Plan's standards for 20-Minute Walkable Neighborhoods to site BEECNs). As a general rule, PBEM does not add new BEECN sites beyond the 50 already posted as that would overload the radio traffic system.'' | ||
===== Q: Is an earthquake the only disaster PBEM would activate the BEECN system for? ===== | ===== Q: Is an earthquake the only disaster PBEM would activate the BEECN system for? ===== | ||
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===== Q: Will BEECNs serve as medical care points and/or food and water dropoff points? ===== | ===== Q: Will BEECNs serve as medical care points and/or food and water dropoff points? ===== | ||
''A: Portlanders should <u>NOT</u> expect to go to a BEECN site expecting to find medical care or food and potable water. However, BEECNs are places where information about those services will be shared.'' | ''A: Portlanders should <u>NOT</u> expect to go to a BEECN site expecting to find medical care or food and potable water. However, BEECNs are places where information about those services will be shared.'' | ||
===== Q: What does a BEECN volunteer do? ===== | |||
''A: A full volunteer position description is available at [[VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer|VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer]].'' | |||
===== Q: How do I become a BEECN volunteer? ===== | ===== Q: How do I become a BEECN volunteer? ===== | ||
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===== Q: How long does BEECN volunteer training take? ===== | ===== Q: How long does BEECN volunteer training take? ===== | ||
''A: About two hours total.'' | ''A: About two hours total for basic. Becoming a licensed HAM operator takes much longer.'' | ||
===== Q: Is the BEECN program the only one like it in the world? ===== | ===== Q: Is the BEECN program the only one like it in the world? ===== | ||
''A: That we know of, Milwaukie (Oregon) also has a BEECN program. Programs similar to ours also exist in Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Other than that, we know of no others. However, the concept of post-disaster neighborhood gathering points is not novel (for example, New Orleans [https://ready.nola.gov/NOLAReady/media/Documents/City-Assisted-Evacuation-Brochure_revised-2016.pdf "Evacupoints"]). BEECN essentially takes that concept and adds resilient radio communications to it.'' | ''A: That we know of, [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/post/153300941270/hey-check-this-outmilwaukie-has-their-own-beecn Milwaukie] (Oregon) also has a BEECN program. Programs similar to ours also exist in Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Other than that, we know of no others. However, the concept of post-disaster neighborhood gathering points is not novel (for example, New Orleans [https://ready.nola.gov/NOLAReady/media/Documents/City-Assisted-Evacuation-Brochure_revised-2016.pdf "Evacupoints"]). BEECN essentially takes that concept and adds resilient radio communications to it.'' | ||
