Operations at Fire Stations: Difference between revisions

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== Fire Station Operations Basics ==
== Fire Station Operations Basics ==
The BEECN system is a ''hierarchical'' network of communication nodes, with the objective of passing radio messages between neighborhoods and the EOC. The foundation of the network is the 50 BEECN UHF handheld radios transmitting from every area of Portland. Each BEECN has a primary relay point, which is the VHF radio kit at the nearest fire station. Radio messages are then relayed from the fire station up to the EOC. Radio messages also come ''from'' the EOC ''to'' the BEECNs.
The BEECN system is a ''hierarchical'' network of communication nodes, with the objective of passing radio messages between neighborhoods and the EOC. The foundation of the network is the 50 BEECN UHF handheld radios transmitting from every area of Portland. Each BEECN has a primary relay point, which is the VHF Orange Kit at the nearest fire station. Radio messages are then relayed from the fire station up to the EOC. Radio messages also come ''from'' the EOC ''to'' the BEECNs.


The diagram below illustrates one part of the BEECN network.
The diagram below illustrates one part of the BEECN network.
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| style="text-align: center; background-color: #f0f0f0" |'''✓'''
| style="text-align: center; background-color: #f0f0f0" |'''✓'''
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0" |'''Shift One Time Start'''
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0" |'''Shift One Time Start'''
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0" |The post-earthquake timeframe the BEECN cohort agrees to begin operations. See: Shift One.
| style="background-color: #f0f0f0" |The post-earthquake timeframe the BEECN cohort agrees to begin operations. See: [[Shift One]].
|-
|-
|style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff"|
|style="text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff"|
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|style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"|List of BEECN volunteers who plan to deploy for Shift B from 1400 - 2200.
|style="background-color: #f0f0f0;"|List of BEECN volunteers who plan to deploy for Shift B from 1400 - 2200.
|}
|}
=== Sharing out the fire station Response Framework ===
At the end of the survey is a checkbox reading "Send me a copy of my responses". The volunteer completing the survey should check the box, input their email address, and click "Submit". An electronic copy of the Framework will arrive in the volunteer's email (check spam if you do not receive it inside five minutes). They can then forward it out to other cohort members via email.
The cohort's Framework is shared automatically with PBEM when the form is submitted. The volunteer should also forward the Framework via email to the fire station that serves as their Primary Relay as an FYI. To find the email address for a fire station, click the appropriate fire station link in the [[Fire Station Directory]].
===BEECN Operational Periods and shifts===
A single BEECN operational period is 24 hours and divided into three eight hour sections:
{| style="width: 50%;"
|+
| style="background-color:gold; text-align:center; width:33%" |<big>'''Shift A: 0600 - 1400'''</big>
| style="background-color:greenyellow; text-align:center; width:33%" " |<big>'''Shift B: 1400 - 2200'''</big>
| style="background-color:midnightblue; color:white; text-align:center; width:33%" |<big>'''Inactive Period: 2200 - 0600'''</big>
|}
====Shift One====
'''So when should a cohort ''<u>first</u>'' activate their Orange Kit?''' The first shift of an activation is called "Shift One". PBEM does not expect to activate the BEECN system from the EOC side for 24 to 48 hours after an earthquake. The fire station cohort should activate some time around that timeframe, but the starting point on the clock should either be 0600 or 1400. Therefore, in the Response Framework, volunteers can choose when they plan to activate their Orange Kit from the following options:
*24 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 0600
*24 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 1400
*36 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 0600
*36 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 1400
* 48 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 0600
* 48 hours post earthquake, rounded forward to 1400
'''''For example:''''' let's say a cohort selects "36 hours post event rounded forward to 0600". Now suppose the earthquake hits at 0248 in the morning on March 15. That means the team should aim to have the Orange Kit deployed by 0600 on March 17.
Shift One establishes the timeline and cadence for the incident going forward at that fire station. When a cohort chooses their start time, it is recorded to a schedule kept by PBEM so that EOC staff know around when they can expect to hear from specific BEECNs. In the aftermath of an earthquake a cohort may begin their operations ''sooner'' than their Shift One time, but should avoid starting later if possible.
'''Shift One FRS/GMRS Channel:''' If fire station volunteers have access to FRS/GMRS radios, they could be used to speak amongst each other to check in before shift. If the cohort decides to take this route, they should choose an agreed FRS/GMRS channel to speak on.
====Operational cadence====
The timing of Shift One establishes the operational cadence at the fire station that follows. Provided there are no events that interrupt BEECN operations, a response timeline at the fire station will look like this (in this example, Shift One begins at 0600:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Time
!Day
! Activity
|-
|0530 - 0600
| Operational Period 1
|Shift One volunteers meet at predetermined meeting point and conduct BEECN site assessment to make sure hazards are clear.
|-
|0600 - 1400
|Operational Period 1
| The Shift One volunteers move the cache from its secure location and set up to begin Shift A operations.
|-
|1330 - 1400
| Operational Period 1
|Shift B volunteers arrive to relieve Shift A. Shift A turns over message logs and other important information to Shift B.
|-
| 1400 - 2130
|Operational Period 1
| Shift B volunteers commence operations.
|-
|2130 - 2200
|Operational Period 1
|Shift B volunteers wrap up operations and secure the cache. BEECN operations have concluded for the day.
|-
| 2200 - 0600
|Operational Period 1
|No activity.
|-
| 0600 - 1400
|Operational Period 2
|Shift A volunteers arrive for Operational Period 2. They pull the cache from its storage and begin operations.
|-
|1330 - 1400
|Operational Period 2
|Shift B volunteers arrive to relieve Shift A. Shift A turns over message logs and other important information to Shift B.
|-
|1400 - 2130
| Operational Period 2
|Shift B volunteers commence operations.
|-
|2130 - 2200
|Operational Period 2
|Shift B volunteers wrap up operations and secure the cache. BEECN operations have concluded for the day.
|-
| colspan="3" |...and the cycle continues until BEECNs are de-activated by PBEM or the BEECN cohort can no longer continue.
|}
== X ==


=== Fire Station Volunteers: General Objectives ===
=== Fire Station Volunteers: General Objectives ===
Retrieved from "https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php/Operations_at_Fire_Stations"