VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator

From WikiNET

A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF 14.01.02 is the position assigned to BEECN volunteer coordinators.


Summary

BEECN volunteers operate in organized cohorts, perform regular equipment checks, participate in drills, and deploy communication nodes (BEECNs) 24–48 hours after a major earthquake. A BEECN Coordinator is responsible for organizing and leading the volunteers assigned to a single BEECN resource (a BEECN cache or a fire station), as well as planning response operations. This is a Blue Skies volunteer position; the position does not carry into response.

A Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (BEECN) Volunteer plays a vital role in disaster response by establishing communication between neighborhoods and Portland’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Volunteers assist at designated BEECN sites to relay critical information, such as scene stabilization information, emergency requests, and damage reports, using durable communication systems.

BEECN Volunteers are the only PBEM volunteers who can be a NET volunteer or an ATV but are indemnified by the City of Portland either way.

Blue Skies/Grey Skies Summary
During Blue Skies, these volunteers... During Grey Skies, these volunteers...
...stay in regular contact with all the other BEECN volunteers assigned to the cache or fire station and organize them to participate in BEECN exercises and inventories. ...will act as a volunteer in position VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer if they choose to, and plan to, deploy.

Responsibilities

  • Use contact information provided by PBEM to keep other volunteers assigned to the BEECN resource organized as a team.
  • Lead BEECN volunteers in the cohort through completion and maintenance of their BEECN Response Framework. The BEECN Coordinator also communicates with PBEM staff about the BEECN Response Framework.
  • Schedule regular activities around the BEECN, such as equipment checks and inventories.
  • Encourage BEECN volunteers to participate in regular exercises.
  • Represent PBEM professionally.
  • Log all volunteer hours (your own; not your team's).
Position ID ※ VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator
Mission Area ※ Preparedness Response Recovery
Lead Agency ※ Portland Bureau of Emergency Management
Active NET Required? ※ No; this position is available to ATVs.
Structure ※ During Blue Skies, BEECN volunteers report to the BEECN Coordinator in charge of their cohort. BEECN Coordinators relay questions and concerns to PBEM staff, preferably via BEECN@portlandoregon.gov.
Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities ※ Ability to organize and lead small groups. Ability to form meeting agendas and manage meetings of small groups of people (online or in person).
Licenses and Certifications ※ None required.
Currency ※ BEECN volunteers must be in touch with their BEECN Coordinator and appear on the roster of their BEECN Response Framework. They should also participate in BEECN inventories and exercises as their time allows. Because all BEECN volunteers are indemnified, they are required to log their hours but not required to meet the Minimum Service Contribution (MRC) unless they are also a NET volunteer. The BEECN Coordinator should organize cohort members to participate regularly in the BEECN program and make sure they log their volunteer hours.

BEECN Volunteers are required to complete a criminal background check at the same frequency as NET volunteers.

Physical Requirements ※ None.
Task Book ※ None at this time.
PPE and Recommended Equipment ※ PPE: As this is a Blue Skies position, no PPE is needed. However, if and when acting as a responding BEECN volunteer, an incumbent in this position should abide by the PPE rules indicated in VSF 14.01.01: BEECN Volunteer.

Equipment: All the equipment a BEECN volunteer needs should be in their BEECN Cache.

Forms ※ BEECN Response Framework
Updated ※ 2025.02.15 (version 1.0)
Released ※ 2025.02.15

Training for VSF 14.01.02: BEECN Coordinator

Important note: ONLY the trainings listed as REQUIRED are required! Optional training and supplemental resources are presented as a path for a volunteer to increase their knowledge and confidence carrying out their volunteer responsibilities. However, no volunteer's Active status depends on completing training marked as "Optional" or "Supplemental". For more information, please visit the article on Position Descriptions: Training Section.

Training or Resource Type Delivery Duration Learning Objective
Basic BEECN Training Required Online 1.5 hours Summarizes BEECN Guidelines and prepares a new volunteer for working with their BEECN cohort.
Hours Logging Training Required Online 1 minute For BEECN volunteers to learn how to log their service hours in their MyImpact profile.
IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System Optional Online 2.0 hours Course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. Knowing the basics of ICS can give BEECN volunteers context to the City's overall response effort.
IS-242: Effective Communication Optional Online 8.0 hours This course covers basic communication skills, how to communicate in an emergency, how to identify community-specific communication issues, using technology as a communication tool, and effective oral communication. Not every sub-topic in this course is relevant to the responsibilities of a BEECN volunteer.
IS-2901: Introduction to Community Lifelines Optional Online 1.0 hours Introduces the FEMA Community Lifelines construct, an outcome-driven response structure used to achieve incident stabilization. PBEM uses Community Lifelines, and knowing them will help BEECN volunteers communicate more effectively with the EOC.
Basic NET or CERT (certification) Optional In-person 24 hours Basic NET/CERT training provides more and varied disaster response skills and situational awareness to BEECN volunteers.
NET Leadership Curricula Supplemental Online Supplemental leadership curricula for leading volunteers.
Portland Basic Emergency Operations Plan (BEOP) Supplemental Online N/A The BEOP is the framework that governs how the City of Portland responds in the aftermath of a major disaster. Being familiar with it can provide BEECN volunteers with heightened situational awareness.
BEECN Guidelines Supplemental Online N/A The BEECN Guidelines is the "blueprint" for the BEECN program and covers the nuances of program policies. A regular BEECN volunteer doesn't need to know the Guidelines to carry out their responsibilities, but reviewing them will enhance knowledge and provide a more complete picture of the program.
BEECN on Tumblr Supplemental Online N/A Media articles tagged as relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.
BEECN video content Supplemental Online N/A Video content relevant to BEECN volunteer responsibilities.
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