Operations at BEECN Sites: Difference between revisions

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|style="background:#72452d; color:white; text-align: center; border:2px solid white;"| '''<big>BEECN Guidelines</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:center; 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:center; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Program Organization]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Program Organization]]
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:center; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Volunteers]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Sites]]
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:center; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Caches]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Volunteers]]
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:center; border:4px solid white;"| [[Operations at BEECN Sites]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[BEECN Caches]]
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| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:center; border:4px solid white;"| [[Operations at Fire Stations]]
| style="background:#ddd2cd; text-align:left; padding-left:20px; border:4px solid white;"| [[Operations at BEECN Sites]]
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| 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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|[[Media:Form 6a.Radio Communication Log.pdf|BEECN Radio Log]] (same as NET Form 6)
|[[Media:BEECN Radio Log Form.pdf|BEECN Radio Log]]
|2022.01.24
|2019.04.09
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__TOC__
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== BEECN Operations Basics ==
== BEECN Operations Basics ==
BEECN is a ''hierarchical'' network of communication nodes, with the objective of passing radio messages between neighborhoods and the EOC. The foundation of the network are the 50 BEECN UHF handheld radios transmitting from every area of Portland. Each BEECN has a primary relay point, which is the VHF radio 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 VHF radio 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.
 
'''Volunteers operating at BEECNs have three primary response objectives, in order of descending importance:'''
# '''Alert the EOC to critical information regarding scene stabilization and life safety;'''
# '''Receive any public messaging from the EOC regarding the post-earthquake response and broadcast it to people at the BEECN site;'''
# '''Make any damage reports or casualty reports requested by the EOC.'''
All other response objectives are secondary to these three.


The diagram below illustrates one part of the BEECN network.
The diagram below illustrates one part of the BEECN network.
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* The completed Framework confirms to PBEM that volunteers are still managing the BEECN.
* The completed Framework confirms to PBEM that volunteers are still managing the BEECN.


The Framework Form is a Smartsheet survey. When the BC talks over the different questions with volunteers and completes it, the BC can indicate to email an electronic copy. That document can then be forwarded out to the other cohort members for printing. The Framework surveying questions include:
The Framework form is a Smartsheet survey. When the BC talks over the different questions with volunteers and completes it, the BC can indicate to email an electronic copy. That document can then be forwarded out to the other cohort members for printing. The Framework surveying questions include:
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At the end of the survey is a checkbox reading "Send me a copy of my responses". The BC should check the box, input their email address, and click "Submit". An electronic copy of the Framework will arrive in the BC's email (check spam if you do not receive it inside five minutes). You can then forward it out to other cohort members via email. The BC might also consider adding information about how to access the cache at the BEECN Cache Storage Location.
At the end of the survey is a checkbox reading "Send me a copy of my responses". The BC should check the box, input their email address, and click "Submit". An electronic copy of the Framework will arrive in the BC's email (check spam if you do not receive it inside five minutes). You can then forward it out to other cohort members via email. The BC might also consider adding information about how to access the cache at the BEECN Cache Storage Location.


The cohort's Framework is shared automatically with PBEM when the form is submitted. The BC should also forward the Framework via email to the fire station that serves as their Primary Relay as an FYI. To find the email address for a fire station, click the appropriate fire station link in the [[Operations at BEECN Sites#BEECN Channel Guide|BEECN Channel Guide]].
The cohort's Framework is shared automatically with PBEM when the form is submitted. The BC should also forward the Framework via email to the fire station that serves as their Primary Relay as an FYI, as well as the BEECN volunteers who serve that station so they can sync their own Shift One start time. To find the email address for a fire station, click the appropriate fire station link in the [[Operations at BEECN Sites#BEECN Channel Guide|BEECN Channel Guide]].
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==== Personal Security ====
==== Personal Security ====
# As indicated in the [[PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct|Volunteer Code of Conduct]], Volunteers must never carry firearms or other weapons when volunteering at a BEECN. A folding knife or knife with less than a twelve-inch blade is acceptable as a tool.
# As indicated in the [[PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct|Volunteer Code of Conduct]], volunteers must never carry firearms or other weapons when volunteering at a BEECN. A folding knife or knife with less than a twelve-inch blade is acceptable as a tool.
# If confronted by a person at any time who intends to take the equipment and/or harm the volunteers, volunteers must not engage physically or verbally. Take the handheld radio if it is safe to do so, leave all other equipment and walk away, and call out for help. Do not attempt to confront any threatening person.
# If confronted by a person at any time who intends to take the equipment and/or harm the volunteers, volunteers must not engage physically or verbally. Take the handheld radio if it is safe to do so, leave all other equipment and walk away, and call out for help. Do not attempt to confront any threatening person.
==== Custody of BEECN Equipment ====
* The BEECN volunteers operating a BEECN are custodians of its associated equipment while the BEECN is activated.
* BEECN equipment (such as first aid supplies) may only be taken from the BEECN site with the permission of the BEECN volunteers or professional emergency response personnel. No volunteer group or private citizen can “commandeer” or legally take BEECN supplies without the approval of BEECN volunteers on site. BEECN equipment taken without permission from present BEECN volunteers is considered stolen and should be reported as such to PBEM.
* City of Portland or Multnomah County employees may use BEECN equipment if needed.


==== Media Requests ====
==== Media Requests ====
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Again, in the aftermath of an earthquake, always assume and plan for aftershocks.
Again, in the aftermath of an earthquake, always assume and plan for aftershocks.
==== Custody of BEECN Equipment ====
# The BEECN volunteers operating a BEECN are custodians of its associated equipment while the BEECN is activated.
# BEECN equipment (such as first aid supplies) may only be taken from the BEECN site with the permission of the BEECN volunteers or professional emergency response personnel. No volunteer group or private citizen can “commandeer” or legally take BEECN supplies without the approval of BEECN volunteers on site. BEECN equipment taken without permission from present BEECN volunteers is considered stolen and should be reported as such to PBEM.
# City of Portland or Multnomah County employees may use BEECN equipment if needed.


=== Step 2: BEECN set up and initial check in ===
=== Step 2: BEECN set up and initial check in ===
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To the knowledge of PBEM staff, BEECN is a novel program with nothing quite like it ever deployed. That means PBEM does not have specific case histories to help predict with certainty how a BEECN deployment is going to go. Here is how PBEM recommends cohorts best prepare to manage survivors at the BEECN site:
To the knowledge of PBEM staff, BEECN is a novel program with nothing quite like it ever deployed. That means PBEM does not have specific case histories to help predict with certainty how a BEECN deployment is going to go. Here is how PBEM recommends cohorts best prepare to manage survivors at the BEECN site:


* We ''do'' know, generally speaking, that communities come together after a disaster and help each other out.<ref>See in particular the work of [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/28/magazine/the-lives-they-lived-enrico-l-quarantelli.html Henry Quarantelli]; also, the "Misinformation" tag on the NET Tumblr is helpful for more articles on the topic.</ref> PBEM does ''not'' expect roving bands of [https://youtu.be/i2gVXd7FzhQ Mad Max-kitted weirdos] trying to seize the BEECN from volunteers. That said, '''''volunteer safety is priority number one.''''' If a volunteer feels threatened by an individual survivor or if it feels like a crowd is becoming threatening, take the handheld radio (if safe to do so) and walk away from the site. '''Do not check in with the Relay first and do not wait for permission.''' Your shift is over; let PBEM figure out how to re-establish comms later. If possible, send a runner to the Relay to report what happened.
* We ''do'' know, generally speaking, that communities come together after a disaster and help each other out.<ref>See in particular the work of [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/28/magazine/the-lives-they-lived-enrico-l-quarantelli.html Henry Quarantelli]; also, the "[https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/tagged/misinformation Misinformation]" tag on the NET Tumblr is helpful for more articles on the topic.</ref> PBEM does ''not'' expect roving bands of [https://youtu.be/i2gVXd7FzhQ Mad Max-kitted weirdos] trying to seize the BEECN from volunteers. That said, '''''volunteer safety is priority number one.''''' If a volunteer feels threatened by an individual survivor or if it feels like a crowd is becoming threatening, take the handheld radio (if safe to do so) and walk away from the site. '''Do not check in with the Relay first and do not wait for permission.''' Your shift is over; let PBEM figure out how to re-establish comms later. If possible, send a runner to the Relay to report what happened.
* The '''first <u>operational</u> priority/responsibility of BEECN volunteers is to manage and exchange radio messages.''' All else is secondary to that and should be handled by other volunteers.
* The '''first <u>operational</u> priority/responsibility of BEECN volunteers is to manage and exchange radio messages.''' All else is secondary to that and should be handled by other volunteers.
* If BEECN volunteers have capacity to do so, PBEM recommends the next operational priority be management of spontaneous volunteers ("SUVs"). SUVs can act as force multipliers, and help as runners, use the first aid equipment, and generally assist other survivors. To learn more about SUV management, see: [[VSF 15: Volunteer/Donations Management]].
* If BEECN volunteers have capacity to do so, PBEM recommends the next operational priority be management of spontaneous volunteers ("SUVs"). SUVs can act as force multipliers, and help as runners, use the first aid equipment, and generally assist other survivors. To learn more about SUV management, see: [[VSF 15: Volunteer/Donations Management]].
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=== How safe will BEECN volunteers be in an actual activation? ===
BEECN is a mostly unique, cutting edge program. That's great for some bragging rights. But it comes with a big drawback: there is no data providing a direct correlations that inform expectations of how survivors will behave at the BEECN sites. But there is a lot of research on how survivors behave ''generally'' after a disaster that can help us. PBEM staff also programmed an AI to game out some scenarios. It is simply not possible to know how survivors at every BEECN site will behave after the earthquake. But based on the research and what data the AI could provide, PBEM envisions the following scenarios from most likely to least likely:
#<mark>'''Community support and self-organization - most likely:'''</mark> '''Historically, people tend to help rather than harm in disasters. Mutual aid efforts surge, and neighbors support each other. BEECN sites could become rally points where the community organizes itself. Volunteers may naturally emerge to assist with communication, aid distribution, and logistics.
#<mark> '''Overwhelming demand and frustration:'''</mark> If expectations are not managed beforehand (e.g., if the public mistakenly believes BEECN sites will have supplies or immediate emergency responders), frustration could build. Crowds might form, and tensions could rise, especially if people feel their needs aren’t being met.
# <mark>'''Localized conflicts or aggression - rare but possible:'''</mark> In high-stress environments where life-and-death needs exist, some people might react aggressively—especially if they are injured, desperate, or dealing with trauma. However, research shows that true lawlessness is rare in disasters, and most hostility stems from miscommunication rather than widespread violence.
As with all things disaster, we hope for the best and plan for the worst. To that end, we encourage BEECN volunteers to take opportunities to complete De-escalation Training, and Crowd Management Training. Most of all, for volunteer safety, BEECN volunteers should feel empowered to walk away from post owing to '''''ANY''''' conflict when they feel even a little threatened. <br />
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=== Logging radio traffic ===
=== Logging radio traffic ===
Volunteers record all radio traffic from the fire station and the time received in the radio log. BEECN uses the same form for comms logging as NET, which is NET Form 6. A copy of the form is [[Operations at BEECN Sites|linked at the top of this article]]. For instructions on using NET Form 6, visit [[NET Incident Command System (ICS) Forms#NET Form 6: Communications Log|NET Incident Command System Forms: Communications Log]].
Volunteers record all radio traffic from the fire station and the time received in the radio log. BEECN uses the same form for comms logging as NET, which is NET Form 6. A copy of the form is [[Operations at BEECN Sites|linked at the top of this article]]. For instructions on using NET Form 6, visit [[NET Incident Command System (ICS) Forms#NET Form 6: Communications Log|NET Incident Command System Forms: Communications Log]].
===Radio voice procedure===
====Basics====
#Think before you speak. Then, be brief.
#Use no one's personal information (name, health status, address, etc.)
#To make a call, say the tactical call sign of the receiving station, followed by THIS IS and then your tactical call sign, and then OVER. Use the "Hey you, it's me" convention. '''''Example: "Command post, this is Rover One, Over."'''''
====Accuracy====
Use the RSVP system to ensure accuracy.
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| style="background-color: #ffffff; color: red;" |R
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |'''RHYTHM'''
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Make adequate pauses.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: red;" |S
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |'''SPEED'''
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Speak more slowly than usual. Use "air writing" when spelling phonetically.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; color: red;" |V
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |'''VOLUME'''
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Speak directly into the microphone.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: red;" |P
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" | '''PITCH'''
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Pitch your voice higher than normal for conversation.
|}
==== Prowords====
These words have specific meanings that replace sentences or phrases.
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! style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff;" |Word or Phrase
! style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff;" |Meaning
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Affirmative
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Normally used when a question is asked and the reply is YES.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Break, Break
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Interruption to transmission.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Disregard
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |This transmission was made in error; ignore.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |EMERGENCY EMERGENCY
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Use only when there is grave or imminent danger to life. Immediate assistance is required.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Figures
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Numbers to follow.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Go ahead
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |I am ready to copy your message.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |I spell
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Next word will be spelt out using the phonetic alphabet.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |I say again
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" | I am repeating my transmission or portion requested.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Negative
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" | Normally used when a question is asked and the reply is NO.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Out
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |End of transmission, no answer required or expected.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Over
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Invitation to transmit.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Roger
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Message was received and understood. Can be used with the words over or out.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Say again
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Repeat all of your last transmission.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Say all after
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Repeat all after a certain word or key phrase.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Say all before
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" |Repeat all before a certain word or key phrase.
|-
| style="background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;" |Standby
| style="background-color: #ffffff;" |Wait for a short period and I will get back to you.
|-
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold;" |Sitrep
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0;" | Means a situation report at your location.
|}


=== Message Posting ===
=== Message Posting ===
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| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |[https://www.portland.gov/fire/station-11 FS-11]
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |[https://www.portland.gov/fire/station-11 FS-11]
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd; border-right: 4px solid black;" |2
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd; border-right: 4px solid black;" |2
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |BEECN 38-38
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |BEECN SE-38
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |3
| style="background-color:#ddd2cd;" |3
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