2.8: VOLUNTEER ACTIVATION PROCEDURES
Douglas County Emergency Management staff will utilize all available information to make decisions regarding the activation of volunteers for emergency/disaster situations. Volunteers may not initiate self or group activation. The decision to activate volunteers is the responsibility of the Emergency Management Duty Officer.
When the information indicates that Douglas County may be affected by an emergency/disaster situation, or such an event has already occurred, the appropriate volunteer groups will be notified and provided activation instructions.
Emergency Management volunteers most often will be activated to perform the duties of the primary volunteer group they have selected. However, when necessary, Emergency Management staff may reassign any volunteer to operational areas other than that of the volunteers' primary assignment.
Douglas County Emergency Management staff will utilize Everbridge to notify volunteers for activation. Volunteers may initiate contact with the EOC to verify the need for volunteer resources only when they are aware of a community disaster situation.
Levels of Activation Response:
- LEVEL 3 - WATCH . When conditions indicate an event/disaster may occur. Pertinent information will be provided to volunteers at the discretion of Emergency Management staff. At this stage volunteers should be prepared for possible activation. This level may include activation of volunteers who will assist with a Level 2 activation.
- LEVEL 2 - PARTIAL ACTIVATION. Specific volunteers or volunteer groups may be requested to respond to a designated site by Emergency Management staff. Staff will provide as much information as possible to assist responding volunteers.
- LEVEL 1 - FULL ACTIVATION . All Douglas County Emergency Management volunteers will be activated. Volunteers should respond according to instructions provided and report to the Volunteer Reception Center, or contact the Emergency Operations Center if volunteer reception center has not been established.
