DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS AND RACES ACTIVATION Who, What, Why & How

What is a Disaster Service Worker? Any person registered by 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, including approved and documented training necessary or proper to engage in disaster activities.

When am I covered as a DSW? When activated and assigned by proper authority

What’s in it for me? 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. 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-11-01T

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 ( ) Listen for K6MTV to announce Switch to MTV Tactical ( ) 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 repeater ( ) or MTV Tactical ( ) 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.

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.

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 leave Disaster Service Worker Information Sheet Inform Spouse/S.O./Family of Workers Comp. provisions