LATEST UPDATE
The CERV is licensed as VA7VCT and it is insured. The interior cabinetry and millwork is complete and it is available for call-out.

Background
VECTOR is in the final stages converting a former transit coach to a state-of-the-art mobile communications vehicle. This vehicle is used by emergency services at community events and at emergency scenes as a communications base and by Emergency Social Services (ESS) as a field response office. A brochure about the CERV is available for download as a PDF file.

Communications are often the first service that fails in an emergency. Radio and cell phone batteries die, and systems are often overloaded. The CERV is able to mobilize a team of trained and federally licensed 'Ham' radio operators able to provide an ancillary communications network on short notice. The decentralized nature of Ham radio communications has been shown to be very effective in times of need. Many emergency services, including the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and other emergency services have no radio system of their own and rely on Ham radio as a means to communicate if regular services are unable to meet the demand.

Even if there is no emergency the CERV will be used for major community events such as the Celebration of Light, the SunRun, Vancouver International Marathon and others. At these events it will provide a point of coordination between the various agencies and volunteer groups and serve as a site operational command and communications post. The CERV will also be available to police, fire and ambulance services on a call-out basis if site communications are required at a level beyond what is normally available.

The 'Bus'
The bus is a General Motors coach purchased from BC Transit. It served for many years as Surrey coach '5509'. The bus was stripped of seats and stanchions. We discovered that the plywood floor was in poor shape so remedial action was taken to stabilize it and a new subfloor was added. The bus was thoroughly checked for mechanical defects, inspected, and it is certified road-worthy. Unnecessary equipment was removed from below the floor to make room for a generator and waste tanks and a freshwater tank has been added inside the coach. The interior is outfitted with 5 communications workstations, a small kitchenette, washroom and an audio-visual equipped U-shaped conference room at the rear accommodating 6-8 persons. The CERV was first used at Amateur Radio Field Day 2006 in Queen Elizabeth Park. Everything worked as expected and we are finalizing the installation of various pieces of radio and computer gear. The CERV received media attention in the Vancouver Courier.

The New Name
The bus has been renamed the VECTOR Communications Emergency Response Vehicle (CERV). It will serve the Vancouver area (and beyond if called upon) as a mobile communications centre with radio, computer (Internet) and telephone capability. The CERV is able to operate for hours on internal batteries or it may be powered via an AC outlet or by an internal or external generator.

Photos
The steps in the conversion were captured on photo. The following are the various stages of construction. 

The interior... a work in-progress	The bus on delivery to VECTOR - it is now known as the VECTOR Communications Emergency Response Vehicle (CERV) The vehicle will be placed at the disposal of the Vancouver Emergency program and emergency services when required.
March 2004 - The 'Strippers' The crew removed out all the seats and unnecessary hardware	New vinyl flooring goes in
October 2005 - Workstation cabinets and painting	First use of a workstation?
November 2005 - The co-pilot seat installed	VE7BFP works on the gluing
March 2006 - Preparing for exterior paint	Workstation counters installed
April 2006 - Dividing wall installed and the racks in place	View looking back
May 2006 - Its getting close to completion. VE7CX checks out seating in the yet to be completed conference area. Wiring is in progress.	The equipment racks looking forward. The as yet unfinished conference area is out of frame on the left.
The bus after the new paint job	First operational use: VECTOR Field Day 2006
Field Day HF Station aboard the CERV	Field Day Chiefs meeting in the conference area
The finished workstations	View of the completed millwork
Completed kitchenette area	CERV Plaque

Next Steps
The VECTOR CERV Team will now begin permanent installations of the radio and antenna equipment. This gear has been brought into the CERV in the past as required for events. Once it has been determined what configuration is most effective, it will become part of the permanent installation.

Progress Checklist

Completed		In Progress
	Stripping		Antennas (in-progress)
	Rough Plumbing		IT, Telephony and Video (in-progress)
	Mechanical		Radios (in-progress)
	Roll flooring and carpets		BC-WARN connectivity
	Body work
	Painting (inside and out)
	Cabinetry
	Wiring
	Finishing millwork

Opportunities
VECTOR is looking for Drivers and a Mobile CERV Team
VECTOR will provide training to drive the CERV. The pre-requisite is a Class 5 BC Drivers license and a good driving record. We will provide training for the air brake endorsement. We are also recruiting for a trained team of VECTOR and ESS members to staff the CERV for call-outs.
Want to become involved as a volunteer driver? For more information e-mail vector@vancouver.ca

Are you a potential corporate sponsor?
We'd like to talk to you. The VECTOR CERV is used at major events, ESS call-outs (such as at large fires with displaced residents) and emergencies in the Vancouver area. If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities we'd like to hear from you.



VECTOR E-mail and Messages
vector@vancouver.ca
VECTOR Room at E-Comm (604) 215-4815
(not normally staffed)

VECTOR's Mailing Address
VECTOR c/o E-Comm
3301 East Pender Street,
Vancouver, BC  V5K 5J3