DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS AND RACES ACTIVATION

Who, What, Why & How

What is a Disaster Service Worker?

Any person registered with an accredited disaster council … for the purpose of engaging in disaster service without pay or other monetary consideration.

What is Disaster Service?

All activities authorized by and carried on pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act while assisting and under the authority of any unit of the emergency organization during a proclaimed emergency or during a disaster to mitigate an imminent threat of extreme peril to life, property and resources including approved documented and supervised training necessary to engage in such activities.

Classifications and General Duties

Communications. Install, operate and maintain various communications systems and perform related service, to assist officials and individuals in the protection of life and property.

Also: Community Emergency Response

Team Member. Emergency Operation

Center/Incident Command.

When am I covered as a DSW?

When activated and assigned by proper authority.

What’s in it for you?

Workers Compensation coverage by State Compensation Insurance Fund Death Benefit Wage Continuation Medical Treatment

Limited liability protection when acting within scope of assignment and training

The Elements of Disaster Service Activation Registration Training Activation Assignment Supervision

Registration

Only an “authorized person” may register you.

You must have a current DSW registration on file with the entity that is activating you.

DSW registration does not expire, but the Blue Cards do.

Personal information must be verified every five years.

Training

Training is the responsibility of the local ARES group under direction of the Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Services (OES).

In Mountain View there are 3 levels of qualification. Level 1 – Field communicator Level 2 – EOC communicator Level 3 – Mutual Aid Communicator

Major emphasis is on safety and effectiveness of responders.

Activation

Only an entity with whom you are registered may activate you.

An “Activation Number” will be issued.

e.g., MTV-12-01T

Assignment

You will usually get your assignment by radio.

Standard shifts are 8 hours. Location will be given by common

name, address and Thomas Bros. map coordinates.

e.g., Mountain View Fire Station 4, 229 N. Whisman Rd., Thomas 812A5.

Supervision

You must be under continuous supervision while acting under assignment.

This means you must be reachable by radio at all times,

and that means you must have a radio that can be operated with reasonable range while you are in your car (e.g., mag-mount antenna)

Example (Self-Alerting Earthquake) Make sure everything is okay at

home Tune to W6ASH repeater (145.270) Make Mike-Mike Reports Listen for K6MTV to announce Switch to MTV Tactical (146.535) Make your availability known to

MTV Tactical Net Control Operator

Example (Non-Self-Alerting Event) AlertSCC or Telephone Tree Contact info will be given May use AA6BT (146.115) or

W6ASH (145.270) repeaters (they may be linked) or MTV Tactical (146.535 or 147.495)

Make your availability known to Net Control Operator

Example Continued

Net Control may or may not make immediate activation and assignment.

If not immediately activated, check your go-kit and go about your business but continue to monitor MTV Tactical

Do not self-activate!!!

Example Continued Net Control will call you at some point

and offer activation. If you accept activation, you will be

given an assignment. Before leaving home, call MTV Tactical

and inform that you are ready to roll. You will be given travel and reporting

information and be requested to check-in every 15 min. with location and odometer reading.

Example Continued Upon arrival at assignment, inform

NCO and then register with person in charge at that location.

You are assigned as a communicator, don’t take on tasks that will interfere with duties as communicator.

If you need to go off the air inform Net control.

Example Continued Upon relief at end of assignment,

check-out with person in charge at that location.

Inform NCO that you are proceeding to home.

Check-in every 15 minutes on the way home.

You are our responsibility from portal to portal.

Records and Logs

ICS-211 Checkin List – Be sure you are on the receiving agency’s records.

ICS-214 Unit Activity Log – This is your personal record of activities.

ICS-309 Communications Log – Record of messages handled on behalf of served agency

Turn them all in before you leave.

The Blue “DSW” Card

What it is A passport through security lines

when under assignment Only for official use

What it isn’t It is not an ID Card It is not a get-out-of-jail card

What’s it Say?

“The bearer of this identification is on official business in response to an emergency or disaster situation. If safety permits, please allow passage to destination.”

“It is a misdemeanor to wear, carry or display without authority, any means of identification specified by the emergency agency of the state.”

INTERACTION WITH AUTHORITY

Approach in the field of vision of the officer, Keep hands in sight, Greet the officer, Identify yourself, Show identification, State who sent you, State where you are headed, State what you will do there, Request permission to pass, Thank the officer.

WRAP-UP

Discussion/Questions Fill-out and return Disaster Service

Worker Information Sheet Inform Spouse/S.O./Family of

Workers Comp. provisions