History

The ECRV project began in early 2000 when Ford Motor Company donated 10 Excursion vehicles to The American Red Cross national headquarters.

A project committee of communications volunteers and paid staff began investigating how the vehicle could fill a long-standing problem of supporting local chapter communications during a disaster. These local chapters traditionally respond with a variety of communications capabilities, from the local amateur radio club’s equipment and operators to sophisticated communications vehicles supported by the chapter. In developing the communications equipment of the ECRV, the group looked at all modes of terrestrial communications equipment that could support the local operation with radio- based systems.

Several needs were identified:
1. Radios and frequencies had to be licensed by the FCC and other agencies.
2. Amateur radio was to be an integral part of the communications package.
3. The vehicle had to be self-sufficient, providing power not only for internal radios but for an external 110 volt supply. It had to have telephone communication systems independent of local telephone utilities.
4. It had to provide local, mid-range and long distance radio communications.
5. The vehicle had to be able to respond within 2 to 4 hours of activation to areas distant from the custodial chapters. Custodial chapters had to be chosen with secure facilities capable of supplying power and shelter from the weather.

During the next 3 years, Red Cross National Headquarters added the capability of providing broadband Internet connectivity for telephone service and data by satellite, via a 1.2 meter dish mounted directly on top of the vehicle. As a part of the American Red Cross Disaster Services Technology Integration Program (DS-TIP), this satellite capability provides critical technology to disaster relief operations in the form of 10 wireless IP phones and 10 laptop computers with wireless Internet connectivity that are available almost immediately upon arriving at the scene of a disaster. Providing direct computer connectivity to national headquarters via the secure satellite connection ensured that national headquarters management could assist the local job administration to provide more efficient and timely service to clients.

Many discussions took place concerning other kinds of equipment beyond communications to place in the ECRV. AC power was a priority, since a goal was to have the unit not only self sufficient but able to provide power to a temporary disaster headquarters for short periods of time. The final design was an auxiliary AC generator of 8000 watts that runs off the vehicle diesel engine with its 45-gallon fuel tank and cooling capacity to run for hours without overheating.