The ARCBA Comm Van was originally purchased and built following the 1989 Loma Prieata earthquake, which devastated many parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. Completed in 1992 and initially funded with a grant from the Pacific Telesis Foundation, the van is in good mechanical shape, but its communications capabilities and equipment are outdated and insufficient to support our needs in a large disaster.
ARCBA’s San Mateo County Response Communications team is beginning work to refurbish the comm van and fit it with 21st Century emergency communications capability.
We’re looking for volunteers to help us with the design and build-out, but also for donations of funds and equipment needed.
If you’re interested in helping us to ensure that the Bay Area Red Cross will be able to communicate effectively and have great situational awareness during any future emergencies, please help us with any of the following:
- Buy stuff on the Comm Van’s Amazon Wishlist
- Donate a 20-inch long, 2-inch OD of aluminum rod
- Mill the above aluminum rod to support a new antenna mounting system on the van’s pneumatic mast
- Help us remove the mast from the van and replace its gaskets
- Help us design the new AC distribution system