PBEM Volunteer Types and Statuses

This page covers two topics together that converge on each other: volunteer type and volunteer status.

PBEM Volunteer Type

PBEM has several types of volunteers on a spectrum of engagement. NET, BEECN, and ATV volunteers are tracked in the PBEM volunteer database and log hours served.

In Incident Command Center language, the "type" of a resource describes its capability. All of PBEM's volunteers are "volunteers", but the volunteer type describes what responsibilities PBEM can assign them to.

PBEM has three types of volunteers:

1. NET volunteers: All-hazard response volunteers who receive 25+ hours of basic disaster responder training. They are indemnified by the City of Portland, required to log hours, and can specialize in any Volunteer Support Function (VSF). Their "default" VSF is VSF 09: Search and Rescue.
2. BEECN volunteers: Expected to deploy only for earthquake response, and receive 90 minutes of basic BEECN training. They are indemnified by the City of Portland, assigned to a specific BEECN resource, and are required to log hours. They can enter only two VSFs: either VSF 02: Communications (if a HAM radio operator) or VSF 14: Public Information.
3. Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs): Expected to deploy only for earthquake response, not indemnified by the City of Portland, assigned to a specific NET team, and may log hours. They are required to specialize in at least one VSF of their choosing, and have access to training opportunities in that VSF through PBEM.

Note that a volunteer can simultaneously be a NET and BEECN volunteer, but an ATV can only be an ATV.

The table below helps to distinguish some of what the different volunteer types have in common, and how they differ.

	NET	BEECN	ATV
Required to complete Basic NET/CERT training	yes	no	no
Required to complete basic BEECN training	no	yes	no
Has access to advanced training events	yes	limited	limited
Criminal background check required every three years	yes	yes	yes
Minimum Service Contribution required (logging hours)	yes	yes	no
Indemnified by the City of Portland	yes	yes	no
On volunteer deployment call lists	yes	no	no
Required to receive NET Bulletins	yes	no	no
Has access to any VSF	yes	no	limited
Receives a volunteer badge	yes	yes	no

PBEM Volunteer Status

A PBEM volunteer of any type is assigned one of the following statuses:

1. Applicant: An individual who has signed up through the PBEM volunteer database with intention to become an Active NET, BEECN volunteer, or ATV but has not been confirmed in that status yet. Each type of volunteer has different standards for confirmation to active status (described below).
2. Active: A participating NET volunteer, BEECN volunteer, or ATV who meets the responsibilities of their role and maintains good standing. Each type of volunteer has different standards for maintaining good standing (described below).
3. Inactive: Volunteer’s participation in program has terminated voluntarily, is suspended because volunteer is on sabbatical from activity or has not completed annual Minimum Service Contribution, or volunteer was dismissed from the program for reasons of conduct.

Each type of volunteer has different standards for reaching and maintaining active status:

NET Volunteers: confirmation and maintenance of active status

For confirmation as an active NET volunteer eligible to receive a badge, an individual volunteer must:

• Complete Basic NET training or possess certification of CERT training from another jurisdiction;
• Meet all PBEM volunteer minimum qualifications;
• Complete a criminal background check.

To maintain active status as a NET volunteer, incumbent volunteers must:

• Renew their criminal background check every three years;
• Meet all requirements of the Minimum Service Contribution policy;

• Receive Portland NET Bulletins from PBEM;
• Abide by the volunteer Code of Conduct.

At this time, NET volunteers are not required to refresh their Basic NET training in order to remain active. This policy may change in the future.

BEECN Volunteers: confirmation and maintenance of active status

For confirmation as an active BEECN volunteer eligible to receive a badge, an individual volunteer must:

• Complete Basic BEECN training;
• Meet all PBEM volunteer minimum qualifications;
• Be assigned to a BEECN resource (such as a cache or a fire station);
• Complete a criminal background check.

To maintain active status as a BEECN volunteer, incumbent volunteers must:

• Renew their criminal background check every three years;
• Meet all requirements of the Minimum Service Contribution policy;

• Remain in regular contact with their BECN resource's coordinator or assigned ARO;
• Abide by the volunteer Code of Conduct.

Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs): confirmation and maintenance of active status

For confirmation as an active ATV, an individual volunteer must:

• Register in PBEM's volunteer database;
• Join a neighborhood earthquake response team, subject to the team leader's approval;
• Decide a Volunteer Support Function (VSF) to specialize in;
• Complete a criminal background check.

Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs)

An Affiliated Team Volunteer ("ATV") is a volunteer who associates with a NET Team but who does not possess full "Active" NET volunteer status and is not indemnified by the City of Portland. "ATV" was first coined and suggested to Jeremy Van Keuren (PBEM) by NET volunteer David Given. David worked with Boy Scout volunteers and requested a volunteer status that kept a non-NET disaster response volunteer "in the loop" of NET activities and encouraged forming a planning relationship with local teams.

Background

Approximately the same time, PBEM needed a policy avenue where NETs not meeting their Minimum Service Contribution could remain affiliated with NET and their team even if not indemnified as a deployable resource. An "ATV" status seemed ideal for this purpose, allowing PBEM to offer a departing NET volunteer an optional medial status between "Active" and "Inactive".

Requirements of ATVs

In order to be a NET ATV in good standing, ATVs:

• Must abide by the PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct when carrying out tasks for their NET Team or PBEM.
• Is (like NET volunteers) a Mandatory Reporter for suspected child abuse or elder abuse.
• Confirm with their local NET Team Leader twice a year via email that they are still available to deploy in the event of a disaster.
• Reviews their neighborhood's Operations Plan once a year; and, to the discretion of the Team Leader, is named in the Operations Plan.
• Has declared a VSF specialization if the ATV is not a former Active NET. If the ATV is a former NET, declaring a VSF is encouraged but will be considered a VSF 09 (Search & Rescue) resource if no VSF is declared.

Privileges Status of ATVs

• ATVs, with the exception of BEECN volunteers,.are NOT indemnified by the City of Portland regardless of training or experience.
• ATVs are not required to log hours or attend meetings, though they can if they wish.
• ATVs continue to receive NET Bulletins.
• ATVs may participate in some kinds of NET training events, though preference will be given to Active NET volunteers when training seats are limited.
• ATVs will be prioritized for Basic NET class seats if an ATV chooses to become an Active NET volunteer.
• ATVs who were once qualified and fully Active NET volunteers can return to Active status whenever they choose.