Operations at BEECN Sites: Difference between revisions
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If transmission quality is poor, volunteers should look at the map inside the cache and consider what objects (hills, buildings) are between them and the fire station. If possible, volunteers will move away from/out from behind those obstructions. Additionally, volunteers may have to look for higher ground to get a clear signal. Some BEECNs that are far from their fire station have a white external antenna in their kit. Volunteers can attach this antenna to the UHF handheld radio if they experience trouble communicating. The external antenna is attached by unscrewing the small flexible antenna from the radio and attaching the external antenna cable in its place. | If transmission quality is poor, volunteers should look at the map inside the cache and consider what objects (hills, buildings) are between them and the fire station. If possible, volunteers will move away from/out from behind those obstructions. Additionally, volunteers may have to look for higher ground to get a clear signal. Some BEECNs that are far from their fire station have a white external antenna in their kit. Volunteers can attach this antenna to the UHF handheld radio if they experience trouble communicating. The external antenna is attached by unscrewing the small flexible antenna from the radio and attaching the external antenna cable in its place. | ||
== BEECN Demobilization== | |||
#In a prescribed operational period, volunteers should not cease BEECN operations unless: | |||
##The personal safety of the volunteers is threatened (in which case, volunteers should immediately leave the area and not follow other demobilization protocols). | |||
##An urgent life/safety issue emerges for a volunteer’s loved one. | |||
##Shift B does not arrive to relieve Shift A. | |||
##A Public Safety official in the field (such as PBEM staff, a police officer, or firefighter) orders the BEECN to demobilize. | |||
#Once the decision or order to demobilize is made, BEECN volunteers will sign off from the radio with the fire station: | |||
#*'''BEECN VOLUNTEER:''' <span style="background:#FFFF00">[FIRE STATION NUMBER]</span> this is <span style="background:#FFFF00">[BEECN NUMBER and BEECN NAME]</span>. We are demobilizing and boxing up the cache. <span style="background:#FFFF00">[give reason for demobilization]</span> | |||
#* '''FIRE STATION:''' Roger <span style="background:#FFFF00">[BEECN NUMBER and BEECN NAME]</span>.'''You are now marked in the EOC as inactive.''' Please turn off your radio, remove the batteries and proceed with securing the BEECN cache. | |||
#Volunteers shall take down the tent according to the tent instructions (but in reverse). If there was rain and the fabric canopy is wet, please do not fold it up with the frame. Instead, volunteers should leave the fabric canopy loosely on top of the rest of the equipment inside the cache. This will help guard against mold. | |||
#'''Volunteers must remove the batteries from the radio''', since they may leak after time and render the radio inoperable. Batteries can be left inside the box with the radio. | |||
#Re-pack all equipment inside the box. 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 BEECN cache, for PBEM to pick up later. | |||
#Volunteers should next push the box back to its secure location. Once there, the volunteers should position it and lock it up the way it was found, and '''double-check the lock''' to make sure everything is secured. | |||
== APPENDIX: BEECN Channel Guide == | == APPENDIX: BEECN Channel Guide == | ||
To find the correct channels for a BEECN, find the BEECN on the table below. Volunteers should set their handheld BEECN radio to the '''primary channel''' first and check in with personnel at their '''Primary Relay''' site. If nobody answers, volunteers should try their Backup Relay next. | To find the correct channels for a BEECN, find the BEECN on the table below. Volunteers should set their handheld BEECN radio to the '''primary channel''' first and check in with personnel at their '''Primary Relay''' site. If nobody answers, volunteers should try their Backup Relay next. | ||
