Camp Emergency Radio

[DeusRegit]

(This is a post from the Burning Hams site and is good info for Camp Operations & Planning. ESD will be putting out more info on this via the JRS bulletin.)

I have used the MURS radio at BM 2009 for my art installation and 2012 for my camp with positive results. I check in with ESD dispatch upon arriving at BRC on the reserved emergency channel. Dispatch has always been great - they get your playa name, camp location etc. I make my introduction brief as I know they're sometimes pretty busy in there.

The range is as published... you can do well line of sight but inner-city structures will have an impact.

Follow Joseph's advice and program these things at home before you get to BRC. Programming MURS channels is not user friendly (by modern standards) and may require you to have a frequency list handy as well as the instructions for manually designating your channels. I have 3 Dakotas that I got a good price on through eBay.

See you on the playa!

Chip Jarman, kc6ooe
a.k.a. Sandman
Inebriation Nation Village
3:00 & Extraterrestrial
http://www.burningmanzeroseven.com
http://www.kc6ooe.com

[trilobyte]

I'm giving this a nudge over to the Q&A board, since that's a better fit for general Preparation discussions.

Great info, and (in my opinion) a must-have for any kind of large scale camp operation. Not that you want to have an emergency, but in situations with a whole lot of people if an emergency comes up then being able to contact ESD directly can save a lot of precious time (over sending a runner to flag down the nearest ranger).

[DeusRegit]

(I have sometimes wondered in a drunken stupor how long I would have to huff it before running, by chance, into a Ranger. I'll bet there was a study done on this that shows the average run times of a panicked burner before stumbling wantingly upon the feet of an unimpressed volunteer in one of those those floppy white hats and short cami skirts they consider playa pants.)

[some seeing eye]

Thanks for the information Mr Deus. Is there a link to emergency radio talk protocol?

I have been the person running and chasing down and LEO-official vehicle on the open playa to get medical help which came and helped the man down individual successfully survive.

What does someone say on the emergency channel in an emergency? What is the clearing the channel, switching to another channel, in an emergency protocol? What is the emergency location protocol?

[DeusRegit]

That's a good question, Some Seeing Eye, and although I have a good answer I am going to yield to the folks at BM OPS. I'm an experienced radio operator both military and civilian and know what I would say but since this has to do with, what can sometimes be a life or death matter, I would rather they give you official guidance. Trilo, if you catch this message can you suggest to SSE where to find this info?

[phil]

What does someone say on the emergency channel in an emergency? What is the clearing the channel, switching to another channel, in an emergency protocol? What is the emergency location protocol?

I've called them a couple of times for help (for others, thankfully), and there's basically no protocol. They don't expect trained disaster workers on BM's 911 channel. You call on the emergency channel and tell them you need assistance. This lets them know a call is coming in so they can pick up pen and paper; they'll ask you what your emergency is or some such. Then tell them in plain language what your situation is and where you are. If the emergency is somewhere else, get that information before you call. They may ask you to stay there or to go to the emergency site so you can let them know the EMTs got there.

No clearing the channel, switching the channel, or whatever. Very easy, and no mystery. They'll guide you on what they need to know.

[DeusRegit]

Good info, Phil. I agree, they don't expect you to be trained in reporting protocol... the ESD dispatch folks are professionals and they know how to make your day a little easier. Some of them actually do CAD (computer aided dispatch as used by most metro 911 centers) for a living. BRC is very fortunate to have such a polished ESD as well as LE, DPW, MED, Fire, COMMs, and all the rest that make us the standard in the "Temp City" industry. (that made me think of the 3 days I spent doing the Susan Komen 3-Day walk for Breast Cancer from Santa Barbara to L.A... those slick shower/bathroom and cooking vans they borrowed from the folks in Hollywood sure would be a welcome sight day 7 on the playa)... so shoot me.