Physical Infrastructure
Physical Infrastructure Work Group
Infrastructure covers software, hardware, firmware, and physical radio station planning, installation, maintenance, and access. It is the physical network that information travels on.
Job Responsibilities/Purview
Technical issues include the development and maintenance of hardware, portable and fixed emergency power installations (training in the use of batteries, solar, and use of car charging system), ham & FRS/GMRS radio-equipment, and the regular maintenance and testing of portable and base antennas. The Infrastructure Working Group maintains a working inventory and a maintenance schedule. This team maintains coordination with corresponding site managers in order to arrange 24 hour access to equipment. The team works together with the Operations Team in order to identify and establish optimal locations and equipment.
This team will also help members install, repair, and maintain their antenna, radio, emergency power systems, and programming as well as to coordinate efforts with the KARO/ECHO Training Work Group in their Elmering/Mentoring program.
Team
Team Lead:
Jerry, K6KOP (Kensington)
Mike, KM6CXI (El Cerrito)
Current Volunteers: Jerry K6KOP, Mike KM6CXI, Frank K6FAC, Jamuel KM6HBO, Don NI6A, and Hal KK6NDF.
More volunteers are needed
Equipment and Locations
El Cerrito
El Cerrtio EOC
Antenna, radio, and emergency power
Onsite Contact: Chief Kevin Janes
Coordinator:
Fire Station 71
Antenna. radio, and emergency power
Coordinator:
Fire Station 72
Antenna, Radio, and Emergency power
Onsite Contact: Chief Kevin Janes
Coordinator:
Harding Elementary School
Radio and antenna, no emergency power
Onsite Contact: Chief Kevin Janes
Coordinator:
El Cerrito Senior Center
Radio and antenna, no emergency power
Onsite Contact: TBD
Coordinator:
Tassajara Park
Outdoor antenna on Recreation Building Park
Onsite Contact:
Coordinator: Mike, KM6CXI
Kensington
Fire Station 65 (KPSB)
Antenna. radio, and emergency power
Onsite Contact: Chief Kevin Janes
Coordinator: Jerry, K6KOP
Kensington Community Center (KCC)
Antenna. radio, and emergency power
Onsite Contact: TBD
Coordinator: Jerry, K6KOP
Kensington Hilltop School (KHS)
Antenna, radio, and emergency battery power
Onsite Contact: TBD
Coordinator: Jerry, K6KOP
There are five additional KARO-ECHO radios that need to be placed or cached, an Astron 35M 12V power supply, and a couple of Diamond x300A antennas.
Notes on Locations
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The EOC is located in the El Cerrito Public Safety Building at 109000 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Station 71
Station 71 is located at 10900 San Pablo Avenue at the corner of Manila Avenue. The station was built in 1964 and is the headquarters for both the Fire Department and the El Cerrito Police Department. In addition to the Fire Department’s administration, Station 71 is also home to Engine 71, Truck 71, and OES #300.
Station 72
Station 72, located at 1520 Arlington Boulevard, was built in 1997 to replace the outdated station at this same site. This station serves as a secondary Emergency Operations Center for the City and has a training room facility as well as archive storage for Fire Department records. Engine 72 and Engine 372 are both housed at this facility as well as a 16-foot mass casualty incident trailer that stores extra medical supplies for large-scale incidents.
Station 65
Station 65 is located at 217 Arlington Avenue in Kensington, was built in 1970 to replace the old station that was located down the street. The Station is owned by the Kensington Fire Protection District that has contracted with the El Cerrito Fire Department to provide personnel and administrative services since 1995. In addition, the Fire District leases part of the building to the Kensington Police Department who also work out of this same facility. Engine 65 and Engine 365 are both housed at this facility.
Outstanding Tasks
Documentation
- Plan out the physical network of radio stations that are required to support the network plan developed by the Operations Working Group.
- Document the requirements for what a fully operational radio station needs to have, including (but not limited to)
- Radios (ham, FRS/GMRS, etc) and how they are to be placed
- Antennas and how they are to be installed
- What access is required
- Primary and backup power
- Seating and general operating space
- Logs, forms, and other office supplies, etc.
- Document how to maintain a fully operational and ready radio station at each location.
- Plan out how stations are to be maintained, including frequency of visits and what needs to be done when
Execution
- Facilitate building out the plan of physical network of radio stations, including relocating stations and portability needs as necessary
- Apply for or otherwise obtain funding to build out new portable and mobile radio capabilities
- Work with city officials to make sure qualified KARO-ECHO members can access radio stations
- Ensure that the maintance plan is being followed
- Write and permanently install clear, complete, and concise laminated waterproof operating manuals at each location
Related Pages
Battery Emergency Power Operations
EMcomm Operators Go-Kit (Jumpkit)
Customized KARO/ECHO EMComm Operators Go-Kit based on types of assignments
The Four Types of Assignments Based on Radio Hardware and Levels of Skill (see the above KARO ECHO Go-Kit based on type of assignment).