Volunteer Opportunities: Disaster Assignment

Current Disaster Assignment Positions

Positions are in alphabetical order by title.

• Amateur Radio Operator
  • Licensed Amateur Radio (Technician Class License Required)
  • Provide backup communications to Pinellas County EOC) in times that normal communications are interrupted or become too congested for normal communications methods.
  • Receive requests or inquiries from EOC via amateur radio or other communications methods (800Mhz, phone) in regard to shelter occupancy, resource requests and situational awareness at school shelters
  • Staff local municipal EOCs to provide backup communications if normal communications are disrupted.
  • Those assigned to the EOC are able to use the dormitory and will be provided food during operational hours. 
  • Those assigned to shelters are provided a separate sleeping area within the shelter and will be provided meals during their shifts. 
  • Conditions at alternate assignment sites will vary.
  • Positions can be staffed before, during and after a hurricane.
• County Information Center (CIC) Support Staff
  • The CIC is the call center citizens use to get information during an emergency event. The CIC may be open 24 hours a day, requiring two 12-hour shifts of staff. The length of shift can be flexible depending on need.
  • CIC positions are staffed before, during and after disaster events, such as hurricanes. Post-storm work hours will be evaluated for scaling back as emergency operations dictate. The CIC could also be partially or fully activated after no-notice emergency incidents such as tornadoes, chemical spills or active attackers.
  • Staff receives incoming calls or emails from the public.
  • Staff answers citizen inquiries as accurately, quickly and politely as possible.
  • Staff is able to use the dormitory at the EOC and will be provided food during operational hours.
• EOC Support Staff
  • This position is assigned to the EOC based on operational needs.
  • Some of the tasks this position can include, but are not limited to, supporting feeding operations in the EOC, supporting facility operations such as scheduling bunk assignments, setting up sleeping facilities and management of storage units.
  • Staff is able to use the dormitory at the EOC and will be provided food during operational hours. 
  • EOC support staff positions can be staffed before, during and after a hurricane.
• Shelter Staff
  • Assists with shelter operations and may coordinate resources to provide a safe environment for people displaced by an incident or an event.
  • Supports the core team for shelter operations, including client registration, dormitory, food service and general assistance in a shelter. 
  • Shelters run 24 hours a day, requiring two 12-hour shifts.
  • Shelter staff that works during the storm will be required to remain on-site during the lock down period.
  • Shelter staff are provided a separate sleeping area within the shelter and will be provided meals during their shifts. 
  • Shelter positions are staffed before, during and after a hurricane. Post-storm work hours will be evaluated for scaling back as emergency operations dictate.
• Special Needs and Health Care Staff
  • Special needs and health care staff assist in the EOC with either the Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program or Health Care Facility Welfare Checks.
  • Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program: A short registration form is used to register citizens for special needs shelters and transportation assistance. This position helps route the forms electronically to the appropriate transporting entity.
  • Health Care Facility Welfare Checks: Before a hurricane, facilities being evacuated will be contacted multiple times to ensure they have adequate transportation and an evacuation sheltering location. After an event, each facility will be contacted to determine the status of their well being and power. This staff helps with making the calls and getting a status check.
  • Staff is able to use the dormitory at the EOC and will be provided food during operational hours.
• Volunteer Assistant Safety Officers
  • Personnel will be assigned to points of distribution (POD) locations in Pinellas County.
  • Work includes responsibility for field inspections to determine unsafe work conditions or work practices and making preventive recommendations at PODs.
  • Will assist in inspecting the POD site for safety issues, report and document accidents, injuries, and incidents related to safety.
  • Will be responsible for stopping unsafe operations or handling unsafe conditions.
  • Will conduct safety evaluations and complete all required documentation.
  • Will ensure compliance with Pinellas County safety policy, training and training requirements.
  • Staff will receive training in all facets of assessing safety including; traffic flow, walking and working surfaces, first aid, proper lifting, environmental health hazards, equipment use, emergency action plans, etc.