Operations at BEECN Sites: Difference between revisions
From Portland NET Wiki
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# 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. | ||
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==== Media Requests ==== | |||
It is critical that public messaging be kept consistent and only government representatives should talk with the press during an emergency. All requests from the media to speak on the record about an emergency must be relayed to PBEM for approval. Unless authorized by PBEM, BEECN volunteers may not interview with media representatives or answer media questions about the emergency.<br /> | |||
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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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Volunteers will record the time of the first transmission and the time when their Relay is reached in the radio log. After checking in, volunteers request permission to pass radio traffic if there are messages to relay. Otherwise, volunteers wait and listen on channel for further instructions/messages. | Volunteers will record the time of the first transmission and the time when their Relay is reached in the radio log. After checking in, volunteers request permission to pass radio traffic if there are messages to relay. Otherwise, volunteers wait and listen on channel for further instructions/messages. | ||
== | == Exchanging Radio Traffic == | ||
Best operating practices suggest that one volunteer is in charge of the radio and actively talking with the Relay. The other volunteer is interacting with the public and gathering/logging radio messages to relay. | Best operating practices suggest that one volunteer is in charge of the radio and actively talking with the Relay. The other volunteer is interacting with the public and gathering/logging radio messages to relay. | ||
=== Radio Traffic Reporting Priorities === | |||
As much as possible volunteers should keep radio traffic minimal and avoid transmitting nonessential radio traffic. Members of the public will have many different purposes for relaying messages through the BEECN network. If messages compete for priority, volunteers should use the rubric below to decide which messages get relayed soonest: | As much as possible volunteers should keep radio traffic minimal and avoid transmitting nonessential radio traffic. Members of the public will have many different purposes for relaying messages through the BEECN network. If messages compete for priority, volunteers should use the rubric below to decide which messages get relayed soonest: | ||
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=== 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]]. | ||
=== Message Posting === | |||
BEECNs act not only as a way for local government to receive information from the public in the wake of an earthquake, but also a means to get information to the public. BEECN volunteers may receive direction from the EOC via the Relay to use the roll-up whiteboard and post a general message. | |||
=== Troubleshooting === | === Troubleshooting === | ||
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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 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. | ||
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== BEECN Demobilization == | == BEECN Demobilization == | ||
