Base camps are temporary and emergency shelters built to serve critical conditions like accidents or natural calamities. Planning a base camp properly with all essential base camp services prior will help you manage a disaster efficiently. Here, we will help you build your base camp in three ways.
3 ways to build your base camp
Preparing your base camp will require you to gather information about the residents of the base camp, the Base camp services most required of them, and the period. Let us help you through these three steps to build your base camp efficiently.
- What are the objectives of your base camp?
The first thing to remember is the base camp’s residents. The residents of the base camp will help you determine the structure and management of the place because the necessities will also differ with differing residents. For instance, sheltering relief workers will have different requirements than sheltering homeless families. Because in one the camps will be occupied for the whole day while on the other they will be used only for a stipulated time. Deciding on the occupants will ultimately lead you to these three questions
- What services will make the base camp a useful place
- Can there be a greater rush in availing the services
- The services that the occupants will primarily require
The reply to these questions will help you proceed with planning the base camp more efficiently.
- How much space do you need for the camp?
Once you have the information about your users, you can easily understand the major requirements according to their activities. Five fundamental amenities needed in the base camp are
- Movable lodging
- Beddings in sleeping rooms
- Kitchen and dining areas
- Movable restrooms
- HVAC and light sources
You will also need to ensure electricity availability, parking, warehouses, etc., depending on the number of occupants. All these will help you calculate the area required for setting up a base camp. For an average estimation, you can abide by the measurements given by OSHA – 50 square feet per person and then develop it according to your needs.
- Where should your camp be situated?
The last major decision to make is the location of your camp. This decision is highly dependent on the area required for your camp. For the best planning, hiring a professional who will help you finalise your location and structuring should be your best option. These are four ways to determine the best site;
- Choose a location which is remote but has favourable road access
- The base ground should be able to hold on to the pressure your camp will exert.
- Plan your water acquisition and waste disposal methods. Do not completely depend on the potable ones.
- Ensure that the room divisions are done effectively.
Final Thoughts Building a base camp is a task of responsibility since many people depend on you. Hence, building a base camp providing all the necessary base camp services is extremely important because, during times of crisis, the chaos created will be able to calm down with a well-built base camp.