Peer Instructor Network

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.

Examples:

• Joey Josephson is a NET in Woodstock who enjoys periodically leading her team through Stop the Bleed, and has a knack for teaching others whose NET medical training ranges from Basic NET to WFA-certified. So her Team Leader asks if Joey would be willing to instruct other NET teams in the city as part of her volunteer service. Joey agrees, and her TL nominates her. PBEM takes it from there.
• Pat Patrickson loves camping and cooking over a fire. They offer to demonstrate some backcountry food prep techniques and recipes to their team, and the conviviality of the session is a real hit. Pat does not have an actual workshop outline or much experience training others, so their technical presentation is a bit rough around the edges. Their TL asks if they would like to repeat and refine the session, with the goal of polishing it for presentation to other teams as a volunteer. If the TL is even more impressed the second (or third) time, they ask if Pat feels ready to be endorsed, and then nominates them as a Peer Instructor. Pat writes up a blurb and agenda for the session. PBEM follows up, and soon NETs across the city are making the Best Campfire Beanburgers Ever. (But only during months when there is no burn ban, of course.)

Effective date	2025.08.15
Last revised	2025.08.15
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 nor bestow a certification.
• Creates opportunities for Active NET volunteers to develop skills as Instructors, in areas that interest them.
• Creates opportunities for approved Peer Instructors (PIs) 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. Peer Instructors (PIs) 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 PIs.
• Team Leaders who wish to arrange classes for their team with Peer Instructors.
• Once successfully launched, the program might be expanded to include Affiliated Team Volunteers (ATVs).

Responsibilities

Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM)

Vets and approves PIs nominated by Team Leaders. Tracks Peer Instructors in the volunteer database, ensures background checks, periodically reviews feedback about PIs' performance, and communicates program updates. Adds MIP signup Opportunities for PI's training sessions; these Opportunities may be limited to specific teams at the request of the scheduling TL.

Team Leaders

Recruit, interview, evaluate, and nominate Peer Instructors. Use the PIN directory to arrange Advanced Training sessions for their teams.

Peer Instructors (PIs)

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) to NET volunteers for free. Comport themselves professionally, and seek constructive 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.
Subject Matter Expert (SME)	An individual with in-depth, specialized knowledge and experience in a particular field or area. They possess a high level of expertise, often gained through formal education, practical experience, or a combination of both, and are considered go-to resources for their specialized knowledge.
Volunteer Support Function (VSF)	A defined disaster preparedness, response, or recovery role based on skills and interests.

Implementation Details

Peer Instructor (PI) Intake Procedure

1. Only Team Leaders may nominate potential PIs to teach on specific topics on which they are a subject matter expert (SME), using the nomination form.
   1. The Nominee may be qualified based on professional accreditation, or personal experience, or research they have accomplished, etc. PBEM is not putting strict rules around credentials because
      1. many useful NET topics do not have a formal path to SME status, and
      2. subjects that do require formal accreditation will not be part of this informal PIN. For example, CPR, Hazmat awareness, and Wilderness First Aid (WFA).
   2. The nominating Team Leader must have observed the Nominee teach the entire session effectively at least once or twice to local NETs (or at NET Camp).
   3. Quality control will be TLs' and PBEM's shared responsibility. It is crucial to bear in mind that nomination by a TL means that they personally vouch to other TLs for:
      1. the Nominee’s quality of information and curriculum, and
      2. the Nominee’s effectiveness as an instructor.
2. PBEM will evaluate the nominations and have the final approval of each class topic and Nominee.
3. PBEM will compile and maintain the online directory, including contact information for each Peer Instructor.

Scheduling of PIN Trainings

TLs will use the online PIN directory to contact PIs and plan trainings for their local team. When critical mass for a class cannot be met by a team, joint trainings should be discussed with nearby TLs.

Payment

1. Peer Instructors must teach as volunteers, and may neither solicit nor accept compensation of any kind including honoraria.
2. PIs must log their time in the volunteer database, to be counted toward their Minimum Service Contribution (MSC).

Supplies & Equipment

1. Peer Instructors must list all equipment or consumables required to teach their class(es) when being vetted by PBEM for the PIN program, because:
2. All supplies needed for trainings must be purchased by PBEM under City of Portland procurement contracts and supplied to the PI.
3. In compliance with City of Portland policy, PBEM cannot reimburse PIs for any expenditures.
4. PIs are strongly discouraged from spending personal funds on class consumables.
5. PIs may choose to purchase or construct durable training equipment that they will reuse for other purposes, but only after asking first whether PBEM can supply it.

Feedback & Maintenance

1. Peer Instructors are encouraged to solicit constructive feedback from their classes, and use it to improve their curriculum and teaching skills.
2. PBEM will also capture feedback using compulsory fields when each NET logs their time for the training. That feedback will be used to evaluate individual PIs and the entire program periodically.
3. Periodically PBEM will survey PIs via email to confirm that they wish to continue to be listed in the PIN online directory.

Compliance

Peer Instructors are required to maintain Active NET status and meet their annual Minimum Service Contribution (MSC). Peer Instructors who do not respond to Team Leader or PBEM communications may be removed from the PIN directory. Volunteers who violate this policy or the Code of Conduct may be removed from the PIN, or be dismissed from the program.

Related Information

• PBEM Code of Conduct
• Volunteer Support Function Directory (VSF)
• Criminal Background Policy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

[Pending]

Program/Policy Background

The idea for a PIN network is an outgrowth of Team Leaders' informal sharing of recommendations for volunteers who enjoy teaching NETs on various topics. PBEM acknowledged the value of this network, but also recognized two problems. Namely, is was inequitable to all teams, and also that some instructors were delivering training about which they were not fully qualified or informed.