The term "disaster service worker" seems to be self explanatory, yet in some states the situation can become more involved if there are state laws and regulations using that terminology.
One such state is California with a law that provides for Workers Compensation coverage for a "disaster service worker" (DSW) and created the funding to support the coverage.
At this time the regulations read, "A disaster service worker is any person registered with a disaster council or the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, or a State Agency granted authority to register Disaster Service Workers, for the purpose in engaging in disaster service pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act without pay or other consideration."
By January 2001 it is to be expected the regulations will read, "A disaster service worker is any person registered with an Accredited Disaster Council.....". At this time all 58 counties and many cities have achieved Accreditation according to State OES Planning.
Accredited Disaster Council status is obtained through certification by the California Emergency Council and furnishing the Governor's Office of Emergency Services with a certified copy of the ordinance that has provided for: (1) a disaster council; (2) a Chairperson or director of the disaster council; (3) an Emergency organization; and (4) Compliance with the Emergency Services Act.
Recently rewritten DSW regulations (now being updated) provide for 13 REVISED classifications of DSW's:
** Communications general duties: install, operate, and maintain various communications systems and perform related service, to assist officials and individuals in the protection of life and property.Operational aspects to DSW coverage in EMCOMM Units involve the following, to be covered in subsequent bulletins in this series:
Scope of Disaster Service Duties (Sec 2572.2) reads as follows: "Each DSW in any classification shall, without regard to a formal designation or assignment, be considered to be acting within the scope of disaster service duties while assisting any unit of the emergency organization or performing any act contributing to the protection of life or property, or mitigating the effects of an emergency or potential emergency under the authorization of a duly constituted superior in the emergency organization."
State ACS Officer Cary Mangum (W6WWW)
At this time the regulations read, "A disaster service worker is any person registered with a disaster council or the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, or a State Agency granted authority to register Disaster Service Workers, for the purpose in engaging in disaster service pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act without pay or other consideration."
By January 2001 it is to be expected the regulations will read, "A disaster service worker is any person registered with an Accredited Disaster Council.....". At this time all 58 counties and many cities have achieved Accreditation according to State OES Planning.
Accredited Disaster Council status is obtained through certification by the California Emergency Council and furnishing the Governor's Office of Emergency Services with a certified copy of the ordinance that has provided for: (1) a disaster council; (2) a Chairperson or director of the disaster council; (3) an Emergency organization; and (4) Compliance with the Emergency Services Act.
Recently rewritten DSW regulations (now being updated) provide for 13 REVISED classifications of DSW's:
- Animal Rescue, Care and Shelter
- Communications **
- Community Emergency Response Team Member
- Finance and Administrative Staff
- Human Services
- Fire
- Laborer
- Law Enforcement
- Logistics
- Medical and Environmental Health
- Safety Assessment Inspector
- Search and Rescue
- Utilities
** Communications general duties: install, operate, and maintain various communications systems and perform related service, to assist officials and individuals in the protection of life and property.Operational aspects to DSW coverage in EMCOMM Units involve the following, to be covered in subsequent bulletins in this series:
- (a) Training events and exercises (Bulletin 247)
- (b) When participants are covered (Bulletin 249)
- (c) How many to activate or involve (Bulletin 250)
- (d) Communications mutual aid (Bulletins 251-255)
Scope of Disaster Service Duties (Sec 2572.2) reads as follows: "Each DSW in any classification shall, without regard to a formal designation or assignment, be considered to be acting within the scope of disaster service duties while assisting any unit of the emergency organization or performing any act contributing to the protection of life or property, or mitigating the effects of an emergency or potential emergency under the authorization of a duly constituted superior in the emergency organization."
State ACS Officer Cary Mangum (W6WWW)
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