Activation Protocols: Standing Orders
a. PBEM may, in rare circumstances, authorize an outside agency or organization to directly contact and deploy NETs or NET Members. This is called a standing order. Standing orders are used when PBEM is not involved in the emergency incident; however, there is a clear and pre-approved mission for NET assistance.
For example, cooling centers need the help of NET Members who have received relevant training. It is more efficient for the organization coordinating cooling centers to directly request NET assistance instead of routing it through PBEM. Standing orders will be approved by PBEM prior to any requests for NET assistance. PBEM will provide a PDF copy of the standing order to the requesting agency and to the NET Members affected by this order. This order will include:
- Standing Order Agency Name
- Approved NET missions
- NET teams or NET Members affected by the order
- Standing order expiration date
b. When issued, the NET Coordinator will inform all Team Leaders of new standing orders, and will include a list of Members who are approved to deploy under the order.
c. All requests for NET assistance via standing order will take place as follows:
- By phone, the requesting agency notifies the PBEM NET Coordinator of their intent to initiate a standing order.
- Requesting agency then sends an email to NETs with information about where and when NETs should gather to provide assistance, and the NET Coordinator must be copied. This email MUST have a PDF copy of the valid and pre-approved standing order attached, or the request is not valid.
- Requesting agency may then follow-up with volunteers by phone; but, not before the request is emailed as described in the above step.
