Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Nodes (BEECNs)

Click on the links below to learn more about BEECNs, find a site near you, or become a Volunteer.

Introduction to BEECN

A BEECN is a temporary radio communications site staffed by at least two volunteers after a major earthquake that takes down phone lines. BEECNs are places where you can report severe damage or injury or ask for emergency assistance when phones are down.

It’s best if you can stay at home and remain self-sufficient until help arrives. If that’s not possible, go to a BEECN if you need to call for emergency assistance. To find the closest BEECN, either:

• Go to PortlandMaps.com, search for your address at the top right, then scroll down the right column to the bottom of the Public Safety section.
• Or view and print out a card showing all BEECN locations in the City: Download PDF fileBEECN Map and site listings

BEECNs are easily located under a clearly marked red and white tent. At these sites, you’ll see BEECN volunteers, pre-designated City employees, Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) members or other volunteers operating emergency radio equipment. There are 50 locations throughout Portland. The list of BEECNs may change over time.

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) hopes to have BEECNs up and running 24-48 hours of a major earthquake. The reality is that some sites will be activated before that, and others may take longer to establish depending on the damage caused by the quake.

BEECNs are primarily intended for communication purposes—requesting emergency assistance and reporting severe damage. But BEECNs will also have information regarding where to find information concerning the disaster response.

Become a BEECN Volunteer!

BEECN training has two components. First, you will complete an hour of online, self-paced video training followed by a quiz. Then after a couple of administrative steps, you will be contacted to arrange a short, in-person orientation with your local BEECN Coordinator. At that time you will learn the secure location and access method for your nearest BEECN Equipment Cache, and other relevant information.

1) Complete the registration form

• If you already have a MIP account, e.g. you are a NET Volunteer, continue to Step 2.
   

• If you are a new PBEM Volunteer, complete the Volunteer Application to create your MyImpactPage (MIP) account. During this step, you will be guided to look up your nearest BEECN:

  BEECN Volunteer application

  When you complete this step:

  • You will be considered an "Applicant" to the program, able to proceed to Step 2.
  • The PBEM Volunteer Bulletin will be delivered to your email in-box periodically. It contains updates about the program and training announcements.
  • You are welcome to contact your local NET Team Leader, who will warmly welcome you to get to know others in your group.

2) Complete the online BEECN Training

This includes about an hour of (riveting!) video training broken up into seven or eight segments. The videos are followed by a 20-question, open book "open video" quiz. To proceed:

1. Log in to your MIP account.
2. If using the website, click My Profile at the top right, then Training. If using the mobile app, tap the three-line "hamburger" menu, then Training.
3. Scroll down and select BEECN Basic Training.
4. Watch the video series. This will take 0:53 or 1:05, depending on whether you choose to watch the optional (but recommended) final segment. You are not required to finish in one sitting, but doing so makes it easier to pass the quiz.
5. Complete the 20-question quiz. The passing grade is 80% correct. If you do not pass, you may take it again as many times as necessary to pass.
6. Once you pass the quiz, pat yourself on the back and relax! PBEM will automatically contact you within two weeks to guide you through the background check and ID photo upload process.
7. After PBEM completes your intake process and issues your ID card, we will connect you to your local BEECN Coordinator. They will meet with you to demonstrate your BEECN Cache, and provide the secret info you need to operate it.

That's all there is to it!

ArcGIS Map of BEECN sites

BEECN Overall System Readiness Dashboard 

Fire station "orange go-kits"