Peer Instructor Network
2025.07.30 THIS POLICY IS ACTIVLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION; THIS PAGE IS NOT FINAL
Policy Summary: Peer Instructor Network (PIN)
The Peer Instructor Network (PIN) is a directory of specially-qualified NETs who are vetted to provide quality training on a variety of topics. Team Leaders (TLs) may contact them directly to arrange sessions for their teams.
| Effective date | NOT YET FINALIZED |
| Last revised | 2025.07.30 |
| Policy owner | PBEM Community Preparedness Team |
| Author(s) | Glenn C. Devitt (PBEM) |
Forms
| Relevant Forms | Updated |
|---|---|
| Team Leader Nomination Form | 2025.07.30 |
Reason for Policy
The Peer Instructor Network (PIN) supports Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET) by improving availability and diversity of Advanced Training in the program. Specifically it:
- Provides Team Leaders and CRD Training Officers (VSF 05.10) a cadre of vetted, knowledgeable instructors to deliver training to NET volunteers on topics which do not require formal testing or certification.
- Creates opportunities for Active NET volunteers to develop skills as Instructors, in areas that interest them.
- Creates opportunities for approved PIN trainers to mentor others. Each one teach one!
- Develops a pool of competent instructors who deliver high-quality Advance Training.
- Provides more Advanced Training opportunities for NET volunteers to meet their Minimum Service Contribution (MSC) requirement.
- Removes another barrier where PBEM can be an unintentional impediment to accessing resources that TLs need to effectively develop their teams.
Policy Statement
Approved participants in the Peer Instructor Network (PIN) are Active NETs with specialized skills or experience, who have been nominated by a Team Leader who attests to their knowledge and competence, and are then approved by PBEM to deliver high-quality Advanced Training. PIN trainers will teach classes at no charge to their fellow volunteers, and log related time toward their Minimum Service Contribution (MSC).
Scope
This policy applies to:
- Active NET Volunteers who wish to teach specific topics to other volunteers
- Team Leaders who nominate and vouch for PIN trainers.
- Team Leaders who wish to arrange classes for their team with PIN trainers.
- Once successfully launched, the program might be expanded to include Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs).
Responsibilities
- Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM)
- Vets and approves PIN trainers nominated by Team Leaders. Tracks PIN trainers in the volunteer database, ensures background checks, periodically reviews feedback about PIN trainers' performance, and communicated program updates.
- Team Leaders
- Recruit, interview, evaluate, and nominate PIN trainers. Use the PIN trainer directory to arrange Advanced Training sessions for their teams.
- PIN Trainers
- Develop and keep current curriculum on the topic(s) they are approved to teach. Fulfill reasonable requests from Team Leaders to deliver their approved training(s). Comport themselves professionally, and seek feedback from their students.
Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Advanced Training | Sessions available to Active NETs after the completion of Basic NET Training, in order to develop their emergency response skills and improve personal safety. |
| Affiliated Team Volunteer (ATV) | A volunteer who supports a NET team but does not hold full "Active NET" status. |
| Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) | A community-based group of volunteer disaster responders whose members are trained and certified by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management. |
| Volunteer Support Function (VSF) | A defined disaster preparedness, response, or recovery role based on skills and interests. |
Implementation Details
Access and General Expectations of ATVs
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ATV Intake Procedure
For former Active NET volunteers
- Inform the Team Leader of your intention to
- Team Leaders – and only Team Leaders – will use an online form to nominate potential Peer Instructors (PIs) to teach specific topic on which they are a subject matter expert (SME).
- The nominee may be qualified based on professional accreditation, or personal experience, or research they have accomplished, etc. I’m not putting a lot of formal rules around credentials for this. Many useful NET topics do not have a formal path to SME status, and those that do generally will not be part of this informal network. (For example, Hazmat, CPR, and WFA.)
- You must have seen the nominee teach the session at least once or twice to local NETs (or at NET Camp) in order to attest that they are a good instructor. This is not a popularity contest.
- Quality control will be your and my shared responsibility. The most important thing to know is that you will be personally vouching to other TLs for 1) your nominee’s quality of information, and 2) your nominee’s effectiveness as an instructor. Not every SME is a good instructor, and not even the best instructor has the knowledge to teach every topic. I’m not throwing shade, I am simply recognizing that no one excels at everything, and teaching adults requires a particular skillset. I am looking to you to nominate people who hit the nexus, because a directory of poor Peer Instructors will not be useful to anyone.
- PBEM will evaluate the nominations and compile the online directory, including contact info for each Peer Instructor.
- TLs may then use that directory any time to reach out and plan trainings for your team – or better yet, plan a joint training with neighboring TLs.
- I do not have an ETA for publication. It will depend on the rate at which you nominate PIs. If I get crickets, then we won’t create a directory. If I get 400 nominations . . . well, then, a spambot is abusing the form and it will take a while to sort out. ;-)
Compliance
PIN trainers who do not respond to Team Leader communications may be removed from the PIN directory. Volunteers who violate this policy or the Code of Conduct may face dismissal from the program.
Related Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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A: Roles w
Program/Policy Background
The idea for a PIN network is an outgrowth of Team Leaders' informal network of sharing recommendations of volunteers who enjoy teaching NETs on various topics. PBEM recognized the value of this network, but also the fact that is was inequitable to all teams, and that some instructors were delivering training about which they were not fully qualified or informed.