The Emergency Communications Response Vehicles (ECRV) were were strategically positioned across the country to ensure a response to disasters within 12 hours of deployment. ECRVs served multiple purposes beyond communication assets; they were instrumental in recruitment, public relations showcases, and fundraising initiatives.
This website is designed for participants of the ECRV program to share their stories and reflect on their experiences.
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Why I created this site
#1 · 2025-06-07, 11:02 pm
I wrote the following on Facebook and had responses from a lot of friends I have lost contact with. I thought it would be fun for us all to reconnect.
Here is what I wrote:
Memorial day weekend was when we had ECRV classes in the Chicago area at NIPSTA. We would end the weekend with 50+ new certified operators who committed to deploy for at least one 3 week assignment in the following 12 months. ECRV's were much more than just a communication asset. They were a recruitment tool, a PR showcase and a fund raising opportunity. The ECRV's were entirely supported by volunteers, who all became good friends. This was a great example of how committed volunteers could make an operation a success.
Manny Zuniga and Roger Blinn have reacted to this post.
Manny ZunigaRoger Blinn
#2 · 2025-06-16, 12:02 pm
Thanks for bringing back the memories!
So many people work on the ECRV program that were always working to figure out how we could improve them, create the formal training program, organizations and support the moments notice deployments when called.
I dont think there was any other program other then the CRTs that had volunteers on call 24/7 ready to be deployed like we did with the ECRVs.
Other then these being great tools both in operations and in recruitment I have to say it was the volunteers that made this program what it was!