VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator: Difference between revisions

From WikiNET
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
Visual
 
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 14: Line 14:
=== 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. A BEECN Coordinator is responsible for organizing and leading the volunteers assigned to a single BEECN resource (a BEECN cache or a fire station), as well as planning response operations. 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 BEECN Coordinator is responsible for organizing and leading the volunteers assigned to a single BEECN resource (a BEECN cache or a fire station), as well as planning response operations. This is a Blue Skies volunteer position; the position does not carry into response.
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.
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.
Line 33: Line 31:


* Use contact information provided by PBEM to keep other volunteers assigned to the BEECN resource organized as a team.
* Use contact information provided by PBEM to keep other volunteers assigned to the BEECN resource organized as a team.
* Lead BEECN volunteers in the cohort through completion and maintenance of their BEECN Response Framework. The BEECN Coordinator also communicates with PBEM staff about the BEECN Response Framework.
* Schedule regular activities around the BEECN, such as equipment checks and inventories.
* Schedule regular activities around the BEECN, such as equipment checks and inventories.
* Encourage BEECN volunteers to participate in regular exercises.
* Encourage BEECN volunteers to participate in regular exercises.
* Represent PBEM professionally.
* Represent PBEM professionally.
* Log all volunteer hours.
* Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).


{|class="wikitable" style="width: 50%"
{|class="wikitable" style="width: 50%"
Line 46: Line 45:
|+
|+
|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: darkgray; color: gainsboro" width="25%"|'''<big>Preparedness</big>'''
|style="text-align: center; background: firebrick; color: white" 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>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>'''
|}
|}
Line 59: Line 58:
|-
|-
|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"|The BEECN Volunteer is part of a BEECN Cohort, and the BEECN Volunteer reports to the BEECN Coordinator for their assigned BEECN.
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|During Blue Skies, BEECN volunteers report to the BEECN Coordinator in charge of their cohort. BEECN Coordinators relay questions and concerns to PBEM staff, preferably via [mailto:beecn@portlandoregon.gov BEECN@portlandoregon.gov].
|-
|-
|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"|Leadership, radio, communication. Ability to remain cool headed in intense situations. First aid is also helpful, but not as important as the other skills listed.
|style="padding: 10px"|Ability to organize and lead small groups. Ability to form meeting agendas and manage meetings of small groups of people (online or in person).
|-
|-
|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>
Line 68: Line 67:
|-
|-
|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"|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 [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|Minimum Service Contribution (MRC)]] unless they are also a NET volunteer.
|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 [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|Minimum Service Contribution (MRC)]] unless they are also a NET volunteer. The BEECN Coordinator should organize cohort members to participate regularly in the BEECN program and make sure they log their volunteer hours.
BEECN Volunteers are required to complete a [[Criminal Background|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"|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: 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>
Line 78: Line 77:
|-
|-
|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:''' Weather appropriate clothes. BEECN volunteers should wear the hard hats and vests found in their BEECN cache when conducting BEECN operations.
|style="background: white; padding: 10px"|'''PPE:''' As this is a Blue Skies position, no PPE is needed. However, if and when acting as a responding BEECN volunteer, an incumbent in this position should abide by the PPE rules indicated in [[VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer]].
'''Equipment:''' All the equipment a BEECN volunteer needs should be in their [[BEECN Caches|BEECN Cache]].
'''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="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]]
|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: #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: white; padding: 10px"|2025.03.29 ''(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"|2017.10.03
|style="padding: 10px"|2025.02.15
|}
|}


=== Training for '''VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer''' ===
=== Training for '''VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator''' ===
<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%"
Line 119: Line 117:
|2.0 hours
|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.
|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]
|[https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-242.c&lang=en IS-242: Effective Communication]
Line 143: Line 129:
|1.0 hours
|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.
|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)
|Basic NET or CERT (certification)
Line 155: Line 135:
|24 hours
|24 hours
|Basic NET/CERT training provides more and varied disaster response skills and situational awareness to BEECN volunteers.
|Basic NET/CERT training provides more and varied disaster response skills and situational awareness to BEECN volunteers.
|-
|[[NET Team Leader Training Program|NET Leadership Curricula]]
|style="background: #f4d6cb" |Supplemental
|Online
|
|Supplemental leadership curricula for leading volunteers.
|-
|-
|[https://www.portland.gov/pbem/documents/basic-emergency-operations-plan-beop-2016/download Portland Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP)]
|[https://www.portland.gov/pbem/documents/basic-emergency-operations-plan-beop-2016/download Portland Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP)]

Latest revision as of 21:39, 29 March 2025

A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF 14.01.02 is the position assigned to BEECN volunteer coordinators.


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 BEECN Coordinator is responsible for organizing and leading the volunteers assigned to a single BEECN resource (a BEECN cache or a fire station), as well as planning response operations. This is a Blue Skies volunteer position; the position does not carry into response.

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 regular contact with all the other BEECN volunteers assigned to the cache or fire station and organize them to participate in BEECN exercises and inventories. ...will act as a volunteer in position VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer if they choose to, and plan to, deploy.

Responsibilities

  • Use contact information provided by PBEM to keep other volunteers assigned to the BEECN resource organized as a team.
  • Lead BEECN volunteers in the cohort through completion and maintenance of their BEECN Response Framework. The BEECN Coordinator also communicates with PBEM staff about the BEECN Response Framework.
  • Schedule regular activities around the BEECN, such as equipment checks and inventories.
  • Encourage BEECN volunteers to participate in regular exercises.
  • Represent PBEM professionally.
  • Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).
Position ID ※ VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator
Mission Area ※ Preparedness Response Recovery
Lead Agency ※ Portland Bureau of Emergency Management
Active NET Required? ※ No; this position is available to ATVs.
Structure ※ During Blue Skies, BEECN volunteers report to the BEECN Coordinator in charge of their cohort. BEECN Coordinators relay questions and concerns to PBEM staff, preferably via BEECN@portlandoregon.gov.
Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities ※ Ability to organize and lead small groups. Ability to form meeting agendas and manage meetings of small groups of people (online or in person).
Licenses and Certifications ※ None required.
Currency ※ 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 Minimum Service Contribution (MRC) unless they are also a NET volunteer. The BEECN Coordinator should organize cohort members to participate regularly in the BEECN program and make sure they log their volunteer hours.

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 ※ PPE: As this is a Blue Skies position, no PPE is needed. However, if and when acting as a responding BEECN volunteer, an incumbent in this position should abide by the PPE rules indicated in VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer.

Equipment: All the equipment a BEECN volunteer needs should be in their BEECN Cache.

Forms ※ BEECN Response Framework
Updated ※ 2025.03.29 (version 1.0)
Released ※ 2025.02.15

Training for VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator

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.
Hours Logging Training Required Online 1 minute For BEECN volunteers to learn how to log their service hours in their MyImpact profile.
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.
Retrieved from "https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php?title=VSF_14.01.02:_BEECN_Coordinator&oldid=8539"