This course will explain why volunteers are an essential part of a successful emergency response and guide you through the process of becoming a volunteer.

Intended Audience

potential public health volunteers

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this part, you will be able to:

• Describevarious roles volunteers will play in the response to a disaster or other public health emergency
• Describewhat training is required to enable a volunteer to function safely and effectively in an emergency response
• Listreasons why it is important for an individual who wishes to volunteer to become affiliated with an agency or organization incorporate in disaster response
• Describeissues to consider when choosing an agency or organization with which to affiliate
• DescribeDMATs, the MRC, and various VOLAGs, in general and in reference to the types of volunteers needed and the type of commitment required
• Explainthe importance of only registering as a volunteer with one agency or organization
• Describehow potential volunteers are screened and how you can facilitate the process
• Describehow credentialing and liability issues work in terms of volunteers in an emergency response and the benefits of health care professionals registering ESAR-VHP
• Describeimportant steps to take in your personal and professional life before you are deployed as a volunteer

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals Identified

Domain 5: Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

• 5A1. Describes the programs and services provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the health of a community
• 5A5. Collaborates with community partners to improve health in a community (e.g., participates in committees, shares data and information, connects people to resources)

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

September 11, 2014