VSF 03.992: Storm Drain Clearance

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A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF 03.992 is the position assigned to help keep storm drains clear in response to (or in advance of) inclement weather such as rain storms. Though this is listed as a VSF, this is more a "skillset" than an actual volunteer position.

Summary

PBEM, as well as our partners with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), request NET volunteers and their neighbors help prevent urban pooling and flooding by keeping storm drains clear. This is particularly important leading up to major weather events like an atmospheric river or a rain on snow event. Urban pooling can hide hazards underwater, hold water on the street surface that may contain chemicals or pathogens, and cause vehicles to hydroplane. Floodwaters can also weaken roadbeds, building foundations, and other infrastructure.

Blue Skies/Grey Skies Summary
During Blue Skies, these volunteers...	During Grey Skies, these volunteers...
...should review training materials, particularly if PBEM sends a message to place NETs on stand by to deploy. If possible, NETs should adopt and clear local storm drains before inclement weather hits.	...will safely check and clear any storm drains they have adopted.

Related Volunteer Positions

Not applicable.

Responsibilities

Use bullet points to indicate the key responsibilities these volunteers have. Think in terms of outcomes for the volunteer, and link those outcomes back to the responsibilities needing fulfillment in order to achieve those outcomes. The last three responsibilities are key to any volunteer position description.

• Responsibility 1
• Responsibility 2
• Responsibility 3
• Responsibility 4 (etc)
• Participate in scheduled training, drills, and activation exercises to maintain operational competence.
• Represent PBEM professionally and follow safety and operational guidelines at all times.
• Log all volunteer hours.

Remember: when clearing storm drains, visibility is your key to safety.

Position ID	VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX
The position ID indicates which VSF a position is assigned to, what subsection of the VSF, and the position's formal title.
Mission Area	Preparedness	Response	Recovery
Mission Area indicates whether the position has a disaster preparedness role, a response role, a recovery role, or a combination of those three on the Disaster Management Cycle. For example, someone confirmed to provide mental health first aid would have a response role. However, those skills are also needed during the Recovery phase of a disaster. It is important to note that this portion of the Position Description does not commit a volunteer to a specific part of the Disaster Management Cycle. It only indicates what the possibilities are. In this example, "Response" is the only mission area this volunteer position is active in...Preparedness and Recovery are greyed out.
Lead Agency	This is almost always PBEM, but there are occasional exceptions. Please ask PBEM if you're not sure.
Active NET Required?	The majority of volunteer position descriptions are open to ATVs. Whether or not the one you are working on is should be clearly indicated in the VSF Directory.
Structure	Describes the position describes span of control and chain of command for the volunteer position.
Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities	A list of ideal qualities and knowledge that a candidate for the volunteer position possesses. However, the purpose of listing them is to give volunteers a better idea of the expectations associated with the role. They are not intended as prescriptive.
Licenses and Certifications	Any licenses or certifications required OR recommended for this volunteer position.
Currency	"Currency" means how often they need to renew training or certifications, and/or contact with their team or team leader. In other words, indicates how often a volunteer must renew training and/or knowledge in order to be deployable in this volunteer position. All position descriptions should also include: Required to complete a criminal background check at PBEM's expense every three years."
Physical Requirements	More detailed knowledge on the physical expectations associated with completing the position's key responsibilities.
Task Book	If a task book is available for this volunteer position, it will be linked here. Not every position has a task book.
PPE and Recommended Equipment	Any required personal protective equipment (PPE) associated with deploying in this volunteer position, and any relevant equipment that facilitates completing volunteer responsibilities.
Forms	Forms that a volunteer in the position should be familiar with and know how to complete.
Updated	Indicates by date the last time anything in the position description was changed.
Released	Indicates by date when the position was first released and published.

Training for VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX

Important note: ONLY the trainings listed as REQUIRED are required! Optional training and supplemental resources are presented as a path for a volunteer to increase their knowledge and confidence carrying out their volunteer responsibilities. However, no volunteer's Active status depends on completing training marked as "Optional" or "Supplemental". For more information, please visit the article on Position Descriptions: Training Section.

Training or Resource	Type	Delivery	Duration	Learning Objective
	Required
	Optional

VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX Knowledge Base

File/Resource	Description	Author	Publish Date