Operations at BEECN Sites: Difference between revisions
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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: | 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: | ||
# '''Community support and self-organization: most likely'''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># '''Community support and self-organization: most likely</mark> | ||
# '''Overwhelming demand and frustration'''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. | '''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. | ||
# '''Localized conflicts or aggression: rare but possible'''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. | |||
<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 /> | 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 /> | ||
