PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct

All who volunteer with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, be that as a NET volunteer, ATV, BEECN, or COAD member, must abide by PBEM's Volunteer Code of Conduct. As "City Officials", all NET and BEECN volunteers must abide by the City of Portland's Code of Ethics as well.

Code of Conduct

In a disaster it is quite common for people to come together for help and comfort. PBEM volunteer programs prepare neighborhoods for self-sufficiency during a disaster by providing individuals with information and training related to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. By preparing in advance, trained PBEM volunteers are able to help themselves, and their families, friends and neighbors recover as quickly as possible after a disaster.

In order to accomplish their mission, PBEM volunteers must be committed to the values of personal responsibility, respect and safety embodied in this Code of Conduct.

Background Check

All Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) volunteers must pass a criminal background check. Certain convictions may not necessarily exempt you from the NET or BEECN programs; however, any omission, falsification or misrepresentation on the background check form will disqualify you as a PBEM volunteer applicant and / or result in dismissal from PBEM programs.

Personal Responsibility

When an emergency occurs, my first responsibility is to ensure my own safety and the safety of my family.

I must be officially deployed and assigned to work in an official capacity by the PBEM Program Coordinator or designee. If a large-scale event has caused a communications failure, I will follow the Standard Operating Procedure for activation.

I understand that ID cards, vests, and hard hats shall only be worn during official PBEM activities which include, but are not limited to, activations, trainings, meetings, and special events.

When responding to a disaster as a PBEM volunteer, I will stay within the scope of the training received under the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management NET/BEECN curriculum.

I will conduct myself in a manner to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Conduct that could appear dishonest to a reasonable observer will undermine the program’s credibility even if the conduct is not illegal.

I will not represent myself in a capacity that exceeds my status in the program.

Unless approved by the Director of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM), I will not use or authorize the use of the name, emblem, endorsement, services or property of the program for the purpose of obtaining a benefit or advantage for any person or organization, including the program. I will not contact organizations or individuals to solicit funds on behalf of the program unless I have been given permission by an authorized member of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) staff.

I will keep my Cohort or Team Leader and Program Coordinator informed of progress, concerns and problems with assigned tasks.

I will accept feedback from Cohort and Team Leaders and City staff in order to do the best job possible.

Respect

I will treat fellow volunteers, Team Leaders, City employees, and individuals I serve with dignity, respect, and courtesy. I will take steps to quell profane, abusive, demeaning, belittling, or harassing interactions or communications with others.

I will not engage in destructive or demoralizing criticism about individual program members or PBEM in public forums and on the Internet including social media.

I will confer with and obtain the consent of the Program Coordinator prior to making public statements about the program or members or engaging in lobbying efforts on behalf of the program. I will direct anyone who is looking for official statements concerning the program to the Program Coordinator.

PBEM volunteers have access to non-public information which is sensitive, private, personal, or confidential. The disclosure of some kinds of personal information is strictly prohibited by law, such as a person's name in combination with a social security number. Other information is considered private, such as the contact information of a fellow volunteer; or confidential, such as public safety plans (including BEECN cache locations). I will safeguard all such information from improper disclosure.

I will make a personal commitment to be nonjudgmental about cultural differences and refrain from engaging in conversations about my political, cultural or religious beliefs.

Safety

I will not participate in PBEM activities while I am under the influence of intoxicants and will not use or possess intoxicants while attending PBEM activities. PBEM activities include but are not limited to activations, trainings, meetings, and special events.

I will not bring guns, knives, sticks, or other weapons to PBEM activities even if my possession of them would not be unlawful. (Lock blade pocket knives or fixed blade knives under 6” may be carried). PBEM activities include but are not limited to activations, trainings, meetings, and special events.

During my service in the program, I will immediately notify the Program Coordinator if I am convicted of any crimes or subject to an active restraining order.

I will engage only in activities that are consistent with my physical capabilities and will not take risks that could cause injury to myself or others.

In return for my compliance with the Code of Conduct, I can expect to:

• Be treated with respect and courtesy by all program volunteers, Team Leaders, the Program Coordinator, and other PBEM staff.
• Be provided with a safe atmosphere in which to volunteer.
• Be provided with necessary training opportunities.
• Be provided support, guidance, and assistance in order to promote and advance the program and community resiliency.
• Be appreciated for your contributions to the program and PBEM.

City of Portland Code of Ethics

Finally, I understand that as a City of Portland volunteer, I am also responsible for abiding by the City's Code of Ethics when representing the program. This Code of Ethics is available for view at: https://www.portland.gov/code/1/03.

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Agreement of Understanding

[Acceptance is required of every NET and BEECN Applicant when they complete the application form.]

Regarding the training of Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) members:

1. The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management has organized a program for the training of civilian emergency response team members (NET).
2. The NET Training Program is a cooperative activity in which all participants must work together to help make the program safe and successful.
3. At minimum, the Training Program will involve instruction in the areas of fire suppression, utility control, disaster triage medicine, search and rescue techniques, and procedures in organizing emergency response teams to aid and assist the Bureau of Emergency Management in times of crisis.
4. NET training may take place in both indoor and outdoor settings. Training will involve some physical activity, such as training with fire extinguishing equipment. Team members will not be intentionally exposed to fire or other dangerous situations during their training.
5. While participating in NET training, participants may face dangers from fire equipment malfunction or misuse, being injured by other participants during an event, variable weather conditions, and irregular and natural terrain.
6. Participants have the absolute right to choose not to do any activity, although they will be encouraged by instructors, team leaders and other participants to attempt and/or complete the activities.
7. The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and its agents will do their best to help make this a positive experience which will emphasize teamwork, cooperation, and community service in overcoming difficult emergency situations and will provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about how their efforts can help aid and protect lives and property in times of disaster or other emergencies.
8. In order to ensure equal access to the NET program, PBEM will reasonably modify policies and procedures and provide auxiliary aids and services to persons with disabilities.

I fully realize the dangers of participating in a program of this type. Despite these potential dangers and risks, I will participate and voluntarily assume all the risks associated with such participation.

In consideration for the acceptance of my participation in NET training, I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, property damage or death, which i may have or which may hereafter accrue to me, or to pay heirs or assigns, as a result of my participation in net training.

This release, waiver of liability and indemnity agreement is intended to discharge and release, in advance, the Portland bureau of emergency management and the city of Portland, their agents or employees from and against any and all liability arising out of, or connected in any way with, my participation in the net program even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities mentioned above and herein released.

It is further understood and agreed that this release, waiver of liability, and indemnity agreement is to be binding on me and my heirs and assigns.

I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its content. I am aware that this is a release of liability for negligence and a contract between myself and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and I sign it voluntarily and of my own free will.