Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications Nodes (BEECN): Difference between revisions
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| style="background:white; border:1px solid white;"|[[File:2025.05.16.BEECN Diagram.png|none|thumb|941x941px|''In the BEECN system, messages start at the BEECN site and are passed to the nearest fire station via UHF radio. The message is received by another UHF radio operator at the fire station, and they relay the message to a VHF HAM radio operator. The HAM radio operator relays the message to the radio room in the EOC. Messages can also travel in the opposite direction (i.e. from radio room to BEECN). Illustration by Hugh Newell.'']] | | style="background:white; border:1px solid white;"|[[File:2025.05.16.BEECN Diagram.png|none|thumb|941x941px|''In the BEECN system, messages start at the BEECN site and are passed to the nearest fire station via UHF radio. The message is received by another UHF radio operator at the fire station, and they relay the message to a VHF HAM radio operator. The HAM radio operator relays the message to the radio room in the EOC. Messages can also travel in the opposite direction (i.e. from radio room to BEECN). Illustration by [https://www.hughnewell.com/ Hugh Newell].'']] | ||
| style="background:white; border:1px solid white;"|[[File:BEECN site locations.png|thumb|300x300px|''There are 50 BEECN sites spread throughout Portland.'']] | | style="background:white; border:1px solid white;"|[[File:BEECN site locations.png|thumb|300x300px|''There are 50 BEECN sites spread throughout Portland. Click on the map to enlarge it.'']] | ||
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|style="background-color: #e5412c; color: white" |'''District 2''' | |style="background-color: #e5412c; color: white" |'''District 2''' | ||
|style="background-color: #f9d0ca"| | |style="background-color: #f9d0ca"|David Hansen | ||
|style="background-color: #f9d0ca"| | |style="background-color: #f9d0ca"|{{EmailLink|addr=net@portlandoregon.gov|name=district2beecn@gmail.com}} | ||
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|style="background-color: #30b457; color: white" |'''District 3''' | |style="background-color: #30b457; color: white" |'''District 3''' | ||
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|style="background-color: #ffe01a" |'''District 4''' | |style="background-color: #ffe01a" |'''District 4''' | ||
|style="background-color: #fff7c6"|Sarah Rosenberg | |style="background-color: #fff7c6"|Sarah Rosenberg | ||
|style="background-color: #fff7c6"| | |style="background-color: #fff7c6"|{{EmailLink|addr=net@portlandoregon.gov|name=district4beecn@gmail.com}} | ||
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== BEECN Program History == | == BEECN Program History == | ||
{{#ev:youtube|5M7q04Bprm8|430|right|'''''Video: Mayor Sam Adams announces the BEECN program on December 12, 2012.'''''|frame}} | {{#ev:youtube|5M7q04Bprm8|430|right|'''''Video: Mayor Sam Adams announces the BEECN program on December 12, 2012.'''''|frame}} | ||
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 [https://youtu.be/icXq279CmXs 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 [https://youtu.be/icXq279CmXs 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 the first planning days of BEECN, the program was called "Neighborhood Emergency Communications Sites" (NECS). | ||
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. | 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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!Date | !Date | ||
!BEECN Program Milestones | !BEECN Program Milestones | ||
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|2012.10.17 | |||
|Portland City Council [[Media:2012.10.17.BEECN Grant Ordinance.pdf|approves an application to FEMA]] to fund BEECN (then called NECS) | |||
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|2012.12.10 | |2012.12.10 | ||
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|2015.10.09 | |2015.10.09 | ||
|PBEM recruits Ernie Jones to manage the BEECN program | |PBEM recruits Ernie Jones to manage the BEECN program | ||
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|2017.06.15 | |||
|SW-49, first community initiated BEECN, established. | |||
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|2017.10.03 | |2017.10.03 | ||
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===== Q: How do I find my nearest BEECN? ===== | ===== Q: How do I find my nearest BEECN? ===== | ||
''A: We have published several maps. Check [https://pdx.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d3eaa87bf97148a78a5f358207259d72 here] or [https:// | ''A: We have published several maps. Check [https://pdx.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d3eaa87bf97148a78a5f358207259d72 here] or [https://volunteerpdx.net/images/d/dc/2022.05.26.en.BEECN_postcard.pdf here]. The best way is to look up your address on [https://www.portlandmaps.com/ PortlandMaps.com], scroll down to the "Public Safety" section of the righthand pane, and look for the BEECN entry at the bottom.'' | ||
===== Q: How do I get a BEECN site in my neighborhood? ===== | ===== Q: How do I get a BEECN site in my neighborhood? ===== | ||
