ECRV

The ECRV, or Emergency Communications Response Vehicle, was designed and created for the American Red Cross by national Disaster Technology paid and volunteer staff, to provide communications links between disaster relief operations and the Disaster Operation Center, and the Public Switched Telephone Network, the Internet and other public and private communications networks. They include an [http://www.jps.com/index.asp?node=118 interoperability switch] which allows the Red Cross to communicate with the variety of internal communication systems based in the nation-wide network of chapters.

The nine base vehicles for the original design, Ford Excursions, were donated by Ford Motor Company; subsystems and components were primarily acquired through funding via the Disaster Technology Integration Program (DSTIP). The vehicles were extensively modified to add an 8.5KW alternator driven by the diesel engine (keeping weight down, thereby avoiding [http://www.tvtechnology.com/features/news/n_do_eng_crews.shtml significant safety hazards] ), a 52' pop-up pneumatic mast capable of rotating while holding a large shortwave yagi antenna and which also has a video camera with telephoto lens for disaster assessment purposes, a VSAT two-way satellite antenna system, and sixteen HF, VHF, UHF, WiFi and microwave antennas feeding its radios and data systems. The Chevrolet Suburban is the basis of three vehicles delivered in October 2007, this version does not have the pneumatic mast.

ECRVs are garaged in secure locations around the United States, and deployed when disasters require communication support. Training has a major emphasis on safety, as [http://www.engsafety.com/safetypg2/Papers/Past-incidents/list.html multiple severe injuries, amputations and fatalities] have resulted from [http://www.engsafety.com/safetypg2/Papers/Past-incidents/list.html improper operation] of similar television ENG vehicles. Fortunately, none of those include ECRV operators.

The operator training course involves approximately 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction with the ECRV's various onboard systems, safety training that includes driving an obstacle course, and coverage of mast and RF safety issues. Course prerequisites include a current defensive driving certificate, a clean DMV record, current First Aid and CPR certifications, and enrollment in the Disaster Services Human Resources system of the American Red Cross. Operators are called on as needed to drive the vehicles to and from disaster locations and operate the systems until communications can be otherwise restored.

They have been used in multiple relief operations, including but not limited to Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, and the October 2007 California wildfires.

References

*American Red Cross
** [http://www.redcross.org American Red Cross]
* DSHR
** DSHR and the American Red Cross
** [http://chapters.redcross.org/NY/NorthCountry/dshr.htm Description of the DSHR system]
* ECRV
** [http://www.ecrv4703.org/index.htm ECRV 4703]
** [http://www.ecrv4711.org/ ECRV 4711]
** [http://www.ecrv4712.org/ECRV4712/index.cfm ECRV 4712 - Sacramento, CA]
** [http://www.carvercountyredcross.org/ECRV.htm Carver County Red Cross website]
** [http://www.cmiregistration.com/user/org/category.jxp?id=25111&org=603 ECRV training web page at the Prince William, Virginia, chapter]
** [http://www.riversidecounty.redcross.org/article.aspx?&a=296 Riverside Red Cross chapter ECRV web page]
** [http://www.flickr.com/photos/shulerburton/sets/72157603993826559/ ECRV Photo Gallery]
* Safety
** [http://www.engsafety.com/safetypg2/Papers/Past-incidents/list.html ENG Safety Page]
** [http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/self-training_resources/look_up_report National Press Photographers Association "Look Up and Live" campaign]
* Emergency Communications
** [http://www.emcommforum.org Discussion Forum for Emergency Communications]