Team Development Arcs
Another term for a "Team Development Arc" in the context of NETs is "developmental pathway". PBEM asks NET teams to meet regularly, but many Team Leaders have requested guidance on the "why" of meeting. Without a defined purpose, team meetings can drift, prompting some members to stop attending meetings, and teams do not build their capacity as neighborhood-based disaster responders. The purpose of Team Developmental Arcs is to structure a team's movement from a baseline of organization to higher level disaster response skills and capacity. Arcs give TLs a roadmap rather than running meetings by "what should we talk about this month?"
Team Development Arc Leadership Approach
A NET Team Leader is responsible for developing their team. PBEM recommends NET Team Leaders approach the task with the following in mind:
- Use team meetings to develop the team (not necessarily individual NETs)
- Think of your operations plan
- Begin with the end in mind: TLs should visualize what a capable NET team for their neighborhood looks like. For example, by the end of the arc, the team...
- Can set up a command post quickly and assign roles.
- Knows local hazards and prospective resources.
- Can deploy BEECN, DAMM, or other comms with little prompting.
- Has regularly practiced light search and rescue and other basic skillsets.
- Has team cohesion and a predictable meeting rhythm.
- Delegate: A TL is responsible for being the "conductor" at the front of the orchestra, but the conductor does not play an instrument. After a TL develops their team's Development Arcs, they should assign responsibility for most meeting topics to different members of the team
- Braid arcs together and pursue simultaneously
(TBA)
Maintenance and recycling...
Individual vs. Team development
Team Development Arcs Table
The table below proposes five major Team Development Arcs and team activities that move the team down the path.
| Developmental Arc I:Team Organization and Cohesion | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Indoors/Outdoors |
| NET Response Kit Inventory | Either |
| Local Fire Station Meeting | Indoors |
| NETwiki Team Page Discussion | Indoors |
| Team Recruitment Strategy | Either |
| Team Equipment Cache Evaluation/Checkup | Depends on cache |
| Family Preparedness Discussion | Either |
| Non-EM Socializing Event | Either |
| Fundraising Review | Either |
| Developmental Arc II: Response Operations Planning | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Indoors/Outdoors |
| VSF Gap Analysis | Either |
| Neighborhood URM Inventory | Outdoors |
| Operations Plan Check-In | Either |
| Local Business Outreach | Outdoors |
| Severe Weather Planning | Either |
| Sanitation Planning | Either |
| Neighborhood Profile Discussion | Either |
| Neighborhood Risk Assessment Discussion | Either |
| Incident Objective Discussion | Either |
| Developmental Arc III: Exercises and Tabletops | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Indoors/Outdoors |
| Scenario Village | Indoors |
| Scenario Village Preparation | Either |
| Tabletop: Windstorm | Indoors |
| Disasterville Board Game | Indoors |
| Railway Accident Tabletop | Indoors |
| Triage Boardgame | Indoors |
| Citywide Deployment Exercise (CDE) | Outdoors |
| Developmental Arc IV: Communications | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Indoors/Outdoors |
| Personal Accountability Reporting (PAR) | Either |
| Damage Assessment Mapping Module (DAMM) Exercise | Outdoors |
| FRS/GMRS Radio Mapping | Outdoors |
| BEECN Training/Review | Outdoors |
| Radio Speaking Skills and Etiquette | Outdoors |
| Developmental Arc V: Basic Response Skills | |
|---|---|
| Activity | Indoors/Outdoors |
| Managing SUVs Tabletop or Exercise | Either |
| Knot Techniques | Either |
| Survivor Carry Techniques | Either (Outdoors is best) |
| ICS Forms Review | Either |
| Triage Tabletop or Exercise | Either |
| Utility Shutoff Review | Both |
| Damaged Building Assessments | Either |
| Fire Extinguisher Review | Outdoors |
| Staging Area Setup | Outdoors |
| Splinting Review | Either |
| Building Markings | Either |
Developmental Arc I: Team Organization and Cohesion
NET Response Kit Inventory
Learning objective: Team members will understand the contents and purpose of their individual NET response kits, and identify gaps or items that need replenishing.
Facilitation: Ask each team member to bring their NET bag or response kit to the meeting. Begin by reviewing the official NET kit list or a sample packing list you provide. Explain that the purpose of this exercise is not to judge completeness but to help everyone become more familiar with their gear, share practical tips, and make sure nothing critical is missing.
Facilitate a guided walkthrough of major kit categories—personal safety/PPE (helmet, vest, gloves), communication (radio, whistle, contact sheet), medical (first aid supplies), tools, and comfort items (snacks, water). Invite volunteers to share how they’ve adapted their kits to fit their neighborhood context or personal needs (e.g., dog leash, maps, laminated cards). Keep the conversation focused on functionality and portability. End with a brief “gap check”: have members note items they need to add or replace, and suggest a timeline for completing those updates. If possible, document any common shortages so the team can discuss bulk purchases or supply-sharing at a future meeting.
Encourage volunteers to also talk about their favorite piece of gear that is not standard to the NET kit list.