General Operations Protocols for NETs

Understanding the policies and protocols governing operations for NETs is critical for volunteers to operate safely and effectively. In emergency management, "Operations" refers to the activities and actions carried out to respond to and manage an emergency or disaster. This phase involves implementing the plans and strategies developed during planning and preparation stages. Operations can include tasks such as search and rescue, providing medical care, distributing essential supplies, helping to manage evacuation procedures, and coordinating with various response agencies and organizations.

Operations: Guiding Principles

In the course of any emergency deployment, NET volunteers must ensure that all chosen actions conform to the following guiding principles:

1. Safety. A NET Member must never place themselves in an unsafe situation for any reason. Moreover, a NET Member must never be expected to place her or himself in a dangerous situation, or ask other volunteers to do so. NETs will never deploy without personal protective equipment.
2. Do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time. NETs are a limited resource. If deployed to an emergency they must carefully and thoughtfully perform the tasks they are assigned. In the event of self-deployment and limited guidance is available, NETs must prioritize where they respond based on considerations for their personal safety, as well as what decisions will preserve the greatest number of lives.
3. Respond inside the scope of NET training. A NET Member must never undertake, or be asked or expected to undertake, any endeavor for which he or she has not received PBEM approved training. Engaging in activities that a NET Member has not trained for endangers the personal safety of that Member and others. Furthermore, the City’s indemnification policy only protects Members when they respond inside the parameters of PBEM approved training.
4. Understand the role of NET in an emergency or disaster. NETs are not teams of professional first responders. NETs act as a volunteer extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.
5. Respect the chain of command. A recognized chain of command – both inside and outside of NET – helps ensure accountability and efficiency during a response.
6. Document all activities. Documenting activities in an emergency may seem cumbersome and of relatively low priority compared to other responsibilities NETs have during a response. However, proper documentation helps protect NET Members against liability, improves accountability, and saves time (and therefore, lives) for professional emergency responders.

Responsibilities Prior to Deployment

Immediately following any citywide disaster or emergency, NET Members:

1. Check themselves for injuries and ensure personal safety.
2. Check in with household Members, ensure their safety, and treat any injuries.
3. Follow team communication protocols if established.
4. Put on PPE and retrieve NET kit.
5. If the disaster is an earthquake, NETs follow appropriate deployment protocols designated by their team's Earthquake Response Framework.

Members should never call in to PBEM to inquire if they are being activated, but instead should follow the protocols in the sections that follow.