You're overseeing a large-scale emergency response. How can you guarantee volunteer safety?

During large-scale emergencies, comprehensive training is essential to ensure volunteer safety. Training should include safety protocols, emergency procedures, and updates on the current situation. Volunteers should be educated on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and helmets. Regular briefings should be conducted to keep volunteers informed and prepared.

To ensure volunteer safety during a large-scale emergency response, implement comprehensive safety protocols including hazard identification, personal protective equipment (PPE) provision, regular safety briefings, and emergency communication systems. Conduct risk assessments, provide training on emergency procedures, establish clear chain of command, and enforce adherence to safety guidelines. Monitor conditions continuously, deploy safety officers, and maintain contingency plans for rapid response to unforeseen hazards

Training for volunteers ahead of time should include scene and personal safety. Providing this training before there is an emergency is paramount. On the scene, a safety briefing to all participants, including volunteers, should be a standard part of any large-scale emergency response. Before people start their work and repeated each time there’s a personnel shift change or any dynamic change in the work environment or scene safety. A safety officer should be appointed as a standard part of NIMS/ICS who is responsible for the safety of the scene and all operating on it. The safety officer would ideally be the one to provide the briefings and should be free from other responsibilities so they can focus all their efforts on overall safety.

No one can guarantee safety during emergency response operations; however, proper planning, training, and preparedness can substantially decrease the risk. Organizations should ensure necessary equipment, policies, and training are, and have been, in place to ensure the highest level of competency from all responders. Volunteers without a minimum training requirement should be utilized in non-specialized areas, preferably in areas they are already comfortable in. For example, we wouldn’t have to have a chef digging ditches, we need prepared meals too; use them appropriately.

Remember that volunteer safety starts before an emergency happens. Volunteerism requires pre-existing plans, training, and community engagement. The organization accepting volunteer workers needs to have a process in place to ensure their safety, provide briefings, and oversee their activities. The volunteers would require appropriate safety equipment and correlating training. Volunteerism is as American as apple pie, but for it to be effective, it requires monitoring and guidance throughout the process. One simple way to ensure the program's success on game day is to have a uniformed member serve as a liaison for volunteers within the chain of command.

To enhance volunteer safety during emergencies, it's crucial to provide access to a range of safety equipment. This includes personal protective gear such as helmets, gloves, masks, and high-visibility vests to protect against physical hazards and improve visibility in low-light conditions. First aid kits should be readily available, stocked with essential supplies for treating minor injuries. Additionally, access to communication devices like radios or mobile phones ensures that volunteers can quickly report incidents and receive updates. Emergency lighting, such as flashlights or headlamps, can also be invaluable during power outages or low-visibility situations.

Provide comprehensive safety training before volunteers engage in any activities. This includes protocols on emergency procedures, hazard identification, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and evacuation plans.

If you expect an employee, paid or volunteer, to perform any function, you owe it them to ensure their safety to the best of your capability. Safety equipment is cheap insurance. The upfront costs of equipping volunteers with the same safety equipment you would provide a regular employee demonstrates how much you value them and their welfare. Regular inspections of equipment should be a norm in order to ensure everyone has what they need to continue providing services in a safe manner.

Safety equipment protects volunteers from hazards like debris, fire, and chemical exposure. It ensures they can perform tasks safely and efficiently. Helmets, gloves, masks, and vests prevent injuries and improve visibility. Proper gear maintains health and readiness, crucial in large-scale emergencies.

Empoderar a todo el equipo con la intension que mantengan todos los dispositivos y equipos en condiciones optimas, a sabiendas de que no debemos descuidarnos y convertir la auditoria de estos en una rutina diaria

Establish clear communication protocols for volunteers to report incidents, hazards, or emergencies promptly. Ensure there are emergency contact numbers and procedures in place. Define clear roles and responsibilities for each volunteer. Ensure they understand their tasks, limitations, and whom to report to in case of safety concerns or emergencies.

The communication plan in emergency operations is crucial for ensuring volunteer safety and effective coordination. Besides establishing robust communication channels like two-way radios or satellite phones, it's essential to monitor and evaluate systems regularly and have contingency plans for main system failures. Intensive training for volunteers on communication technology use and awareness of established communication protocols are also critical. Additionally, effective integration with external parties, communication security, and post-disaster recovery planning are other vital aspects to ensure reliable and secure communication in challenging situations.

Communication is necessary in every emergency, but unfortunately is sometimes the first thing to break down in the absence of power. In these circumstances, having an emergency communication plan that includes accommodation for as many circumstances as possible is vital. The planning process allows for the development of plans that can be flexible and modified on the fly. Communication is necessary for control of the response, and understanding the effect actions have to resolving the emergency. Volunteers must have a role in the planning process in order to own and understand the communications plan. They will always bring a unique perspective.

Communication plans ensure safety by providing clear instructions, updates, and coordination. Volunteers receive timely information on risks and procedures. This prevents confusion, ensures proper actions, and enables quick responses to changes. Effective communication minimizes mistakes and enhances overall safety during large-scale emergencies.

In large-scale emergencies, conducting thorough risk assessments is critical to ensuring volunteer safety. These assessments help identify potential hazards and allow for the implementation of effective mitigation measures. Clear communication channels should be established for reporting hazards and receiving updates. Utilizing various channels such as radios, mobile apps, and public address systems ensures that all volunteers receive important messages promptly.

Understand that no plan survives the first point of impact. Plans must be ready and able to adapt. One strategy I’ve found effective to help my plans have sticking power during dynamic situations is to be relentlessly focused on clear objectives. A clear objective empowers team members to be flexible in hope they accomplish them. That approach is embraced by incident command systems and works well for my teams.

Conduct thorough risk assessments of the emergency situation and the tasks volunteers will perform. Identify potential hazards and mitigate risks through proper planning and preparation. Continuously monitor the safety of volunteers throughout the response. Evaluate safety protocols and make adjustments as necessary based on feedback and evolving circumstances.

Volunteers are part of a response because they want to help. You have to ensure they understand the limits placed on their duties and have a good understanding of the reason these limits exist. In the absence of this understanding, it is not uncommon to see someone extend well past their skill set and get into trouble. Your volunteer has transitioned from being part of the solution to being part of the problem. With the proper training, safety equipment and supervision, much of the risk should be well managed.

Before the incident get in the habit of vetting your volunteers by creating a roster of qualified candidates. This gives you the chance to make sure you are able to flag individuals who may do more harm than help. Your first point of protection for personnel security is always at the point of hire and many seem to forget that you need to keep that mindset when managing volunteers.

Recognize the vital importance of acknowledging the physical and mental well-being of volunteers. It is crucial to proactively incorporate scheduled breaks into their service to enable them to rest, recharge, and maintain peak alertness and productivity throughout their engagement. Additionally, implement a system for regular well-being check-ins with volunteers to monitor their physical and mental health. Encourage open communication and provide support for any stress or emotional challenges they may encounter.

Health monitoring during large-scale emergency response operations is crucial due to the availability of adequate medical resources & trained medical teams to handle emergency situations. Continuous monitoring of patients vital signs using appropriate monitoring equipment is critical, while effective communication among medical team members aids in coordinating swift and efficient care. Managing stress and fatigue, as well as ensuring a sterile operating environment, are also essential to maintaining patient safety and preventing complications.

Monitor volunteers’ physical and mental health during the response. Encourage breaks, hydration, and rest periods to prevent fatigue and stress-related issues.

From a law enforcement emergency response perspective most high risk situations require volunteers to leave the area immediately. If a high risk situation arises contingency planning should involve prioritizing their safety and others by communicating to bystanders and other volunteers to leave the area. Two way radio (encrypted) and cell phone should be available with mutual understanding on who to call if they need assistance or have concerns. Once the threat(s) has been contained or more information is available they can be called upon to assist at the perimeter or in other ways but most volunteers do not have the same equipment as police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue for their respective capabilities.

In many jurisdictions, volunteers who are working in emergency response and emergency management functions are required to be covered by their parent organization's liability and insurance policies. Make sure that you know what the requirements are for your jurisdiction and ensure that your volunteers have been briefed (and that you can prove they've been briefed) on their responsibilities. This will require documentation, especially if they are working in situations where they are unsupervised, have access to vulnerable people, or have access to areas that may not be safe and secure.

Legal considerations ensure volunteer safety by enforcing regulations and safety standards. They mandate proper training, protective gear, and safe working conditions. Compliance with laws reduces liability and ensures accountability. This creates a structured, safe environment where volunteers' rights and well-being are protected.

Manage Fatigue! This is not about merely asking people if they’re tired, build rest periods into rostering and ensure people do not work excessive hours. Also ensure personal commitments such family and heath commitments are considered and appoint a safety or welfare officer. After conducting scores of after action reviews, a leading indicator of suboptimal emergency management is the neglect of fatigue.

Clear Communication: Maintain open lines of communication. Make sure volunteers understand their roles, the risks involved, and who to contact in case of an emergency.

In my past experience working with and managing volunteers, I think the most important planning consideration for keeping volunteers safe is to determine what tasks volunteers can perform and what tasks they absolutely cannot perform. If there are tasks that require specialty skills or training, then only individuals with the appropriate credentials should be performing those tasks. Spontaneous volunteers will inevitably turn up to help on any large-scale disaster. Have a plan in advance for the tasks these types of volunteers can do so that they can contribute to the response and recovery safely.

Pre-credential volunteers before a crisis. Assign them specific roles and responsibilities based on their skills and training. Deploy volunteers through a coordinated effort. Well-meaning individuals who spontaneously arrive at disaster sites may not be assigned if they haven’t enrolled with recognized volunteer organizations. Use mass texts and emails to mobilize volunteers immediately after a disaster. Communicate critical information to registered volunteers to reduce confusion and misinformation. Provide safety guidance and resources to volunteers. Ensure on-site safety, assess hazards, and mitigate risks in affected areas.

Balance the experience in your teams. Have experienced volunteers with less those less experienced. Knowing things is one thing, knowing the implications and consequences of those things is from experience.