ECRV Emergency Communications Response Vehicle

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ECRV (Emergency Communications Response Vehicle)

• ARC Heart of Texas Area Chapter
• 4224 Cobbs Drive, Waco, TX 76710
• 254-776-8362, Fax [phone]
• 1-888-776-9226
• http//www.waco.redcross.org

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ECRV Project

• The ECRV project began in early 2000 when Ford
  Motor Company donated 10 Excursion vehicles to
  the American Red Cross Detroit Chapter.
• A ECRV project committee of communications
  volunteers and paid staff began investigating how
  a ECRV could fill a long-standing problem of
  supporting local chapter communications during a
  disaster.  These local chapters traditionally
  respond with a variety of communications
  capabilities, from local amateur radio clubs
  equipment and operators to sophisticated
  communications vehicles supported by Red Cross
  chapters.  In developing communications equipment
  for a ECRV, they looked at all modes of
  terrestrial communications equipment that could
  support local operations with radio- based
  systems.

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ECRV Project

• Several ECRV needs were identified1. Radios
  and frequencies had to be licensed by the FCC and
  other agencies.2. Amateur radio was to be an
  integral part of a communications package.3. The
  ECRV had to be self sufficient, providing power
  not only for internal radios but for an external
  110 volt supply.  The ECRV had to have telephone
  communication systems independent of local
  telephone utilities.  It had to provide local,
  mid-range and long distance radio
  communications4. The ECRV had to be able to
  respond within 2 to 4 hours of activation to
  areas distant from custodial chapters.  ECRV
  custodial chapters had to be chosen with secure
  facilities capable of supplying power and shelter
  from weather for the ECRV.

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ECRV Project

• During the next 3 years, Red Cross national
  headquarters added the capability of providing
  broadband Internet connectivity for telephone
  service and data by satellite, via a 1.2 meter
  dish mounted directly on top of the ECRV.  As a
  part of the American Red Cross Disaster Services
  Technology Integration Program (DS-TIP), this
  satellite capability provides critical technology
  to disaster relief operations in the form of 10
  wireless IP phones and 6 laptop computers with
  wireless Internet connectivity that are available
  almost immediately through the ECRV upon arriving
  at a scene of disaster.  Providing direct
  computer connectivity to national headquarters
  via the ECRV secure satellite connection ensured
  that national headquarters management could
  assist the local job administration to provide
  more efficient and timely service to clients.

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ECRV Project

• Many discussions took place concerning other
  kinds of equipment beyond communications to place
  in the ECRV.  AC power was priority, since a goal
  was to have a unit not only self sufficient but
  able to provide power to temporary disaster
  headquarters for short periods of time.  Final
  ECRV design was an auxiliary AC generator of
  8,500 watts that runs off a vehicle diesel engine
  with its 45-gallon fuel tank and cooling capacity
  to run for hours without overheating.

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ECRV Equipment List

• DashMacroVision MonitorGarmin Street Pilot
  III GPSAuraGen Induction Power Source Control
  PanelFront ConsoleICOM IC-706MkIIG (Amateur
  Radio HF/VHF/UHF)Vertex VX-4000 70 watt (ARC
  Low-Band VHF)Midland 79-290 (Citizens
  Band)Bendix-King GMH (136-174 MHz
  VHF)Bendix-King EMV (403-470 MHz UHF) (Quick
  Sheet)Uniden BC780 XLT Scanner (Quick
  Sheet)Mitsubishi Satellite PhoneMotorola Analog
  PhoneMotorola i355 Digital PhoneBlackberry 7290
  Wireless Handheld

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ECRV Equipment List

• Rear Console Area RELM RMU Plus (460-520 MHz
  UHF)Bendix-King EMV (403-470 MHz UHF) (Quick
  Sheet)Bendix-King GMH (136-174 MHz VHF)Vertex
  VX-4000 70 watt (ARC Low-Band VHF)Vertex FNB-29A
  Handheld (ARC Low-Band VHF)Uniden BC780 XLT
  Scanner (Quick Sheet)Motorola Micom 2E ALE
  (Channelized HF) Kenwood TS-2000 (Amateur Radio
  HF/VHF/UHF) iDirect 3000 Satellite
  RouterResearch Concepts RC3050 3 Axis Satellite
  Antenna ControllerSGC SmartPowerCube 500W RF
  amplifierSGC SmarTuner Antenna tunerYaesu
  G800SA Rotor Control UnitKantronics KAM 98 TNC
  Cruise TV Antenna Control UnitDatron AO Mast
  Camera ControllerSony SAT-65 Digital Satellite
  ReceiverDavis Weather StationJPS ACU-1000
  Interconnect Switch Panasonic 4 Head Omnivision
  VHS VCRMacroVision MonitorPanasonic CF-29
  Toughbook Server w/Win2003 Cisco 7940
  VoIPPrinter/FaxWeather Eagle 200 Repeater
  Interface with Smart ScannerSmart UPS 100 (For
  iDirect router, Cisco swicth, and WAP) HWH
  Hydraulic Stabilizer

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ECRV Equipment List

• Roof Deck16 assorted radio antennasStorage
  under roof deck for additional antennas and mast
  sections52' pneumatic mast with 4 N-type RF
  cable runsYaesu antenna rotatorPan-Tilt remote
  control cameraDatron automatic deployment DSS
  dishAMSC satellite phone antennaDavis Weather
  Monitor II12 NMO mountsAVL 1.2 Meter Mobile
  VSAT Antenna System Mosley TA-33 Jr. Tri-band HF
  Yagi

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ECRV Equipment List

• I/O Panel3 antenna mast N-type connections for
  extra-vehicular radios3 F-type connections for
  external VSAT dishDSS out (TV Channel 3) LNB2
  OutBroadcast TV in8 analog phone lines in
  (connect to PSTN)8 analog phone lines out (VoIP
  from Vsat)9 network connectionsMast control2
  120vac GFCI outlets12V DC Output

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ECRV Equipment List

• Rear StorageFirst Aid KitFlares2 Safety
  Cones6 IBM Laptop Computers10 Cisco VoIP
  Phones10 Vertex 410/417 Radios (UHF)300' Cat 5
  Cable ReelNetworking KitFan Dipole
  AntennaCable KitTool KitFrequency Meter/SWR
  Meter

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What is expected of an ECRV operator?

• The ECRV (Emergency Communication Response
  Vehicle) is a 2000 Ford Excursion that has been
  retrofitted with a satellite system, all kinds of
  radios, computers and cell phones.  The training
  requires knowledge of Windows, computers and cell
  phones.  The basic operators course is 40 hours.  

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What is expected of an ECRV operator? (continued)

• The ECRV program consist of 9 strategically
  stationed ECRVs throughout the US and volunteer
  base of trained drivers and operators.  The
  designated chapters are responsible for
  maintaining ECRVs in a ready state.  This
  includes having two certified crew members ready
  to respond with in four hours of an activation of
  the ECRV.  The minimum term commitment of the
  crew for its initial deployment is one week.  At
  the end of that week the crew will be rotated if
  they have not been requested to stay on the
  operation.  As a back-up crew member you would be
  expected to be available for a one-three week
  period.

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What is expected of an ECRV operator? (continued)

• Although it is not a requirement to be an
  amateur radio operator to be an ECRV Operator,
  the ECRV carries an assortment of radios that a
  licensed ham operator can use.  A crew member
  without a Amateur Radio license can still
  function, as most communications will be on Red
  Cross owned frequencies.  Depending on the
  infrastructure an ECRV Crew may need to work with
  the local amateur radio group to staff the ECRV
  with a licensed operator if that is the primary
  form of communications.  The other thing to keep
  in mind is that not only will you operate the
  equipment, it is often the case that you must
  work on the equipment in the field.  Experience
  tells us the Amateur Radio operators and others
  from the communications/technical fields are best
  suited for this type of work.

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What is expected of an ECRV operator? (continued)

• ECRV operators will be climbing on top of the
  vehicle, kneeling down to look under it, moving
  heavy boxes of communications equipment among
  other physically demanding duties.  Anytime the
  ECRV is in service, an operator will remain with
  it.  This means if the ECRV is supporting a
  shelter or Emergency Operations Center 24-hours a
  day, the crew will be staying at the facility or
  very close to it so that it is supported 24
  hours.

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What is expected of an ECRV operator? (continued)

• In some cases the ECRV Crew will be responding
  to an area that that has been just hit with a
  disaster, they may, and in most cases, be the
  first and only Red Cross personnel on site.  They
  will need to assist in gathering preliminary
  information and assisting in providing
  information on the Red Cross efforts in the
  area.  Sometimes there may not be a location to
  setup at and the crew will need to work with the
  Red Cross personnel to establish a site.

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What is expected of an ECRV operator? (continued)

• The ECRV is considered a tool box and the crews
  need to be able to assist in a wide range of
  support roles.  Those roles may be within or even
  outside the primary use of the ECRV.  Crew
  members should help in any role that may need
  support this may include assisting in
  distributing information, emotional support, case
  work and training.

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The ECRV qualifications/requirements

• Enroll in and remain in good standing in the
  national Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR)
  System.  Contact your local Red Cross Chapter.
  Recommendation of your Chapter's Disaster
  Director. Obtain a Background Check
  Complete Introduction to Disaster Services course
  (ARC 3066). Hold a valid drivers license in
  the drivers state of residence and provide a
  legible copy of the drivers license and of a
  state certified Department of Motor Vehicles
  (DMV) driving record. Obtain a defensive
  driving course certificate or an Emergency
  Vehicle Operating Certificate (EVOC) or
  equivalent.  This is often completed from either
  the Red Cross or AARP.  It is also available
  on-line.    Register for On Line Defensive
  Driving Training

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ECRV FLEET
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ECRV
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ECRV Workstation
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ECRV Workstation
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ECRV Front Panel
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ECRV at RMC
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RMC (Response Maintenance Center) Austin, TX
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ECRV at Forrest Fire California
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ECRV at Forrest Station California
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Alameda Carrier PierClass Training
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Grass Valley Deployment California
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ECRV Pensacola Minton waiting for RTT