Damage Assessment Team: Team Development

Step 1. Reach out to local engineering firms and college programs to recruit volunteers.

Step 2. Identify a Team Lead.

Step 3. Have volunteers take FEMA IS-100 (An Introduction to the Incident Command System), IS-700 (An Introduction to the National Incident Management System), IS-556 (Damage Assessment for Public Works), and IS-559 (Local Damage Assessment).  

Step 4. Meet with the Fire Chief and the Community Emergency Manager to create a priority list for post-disaster damage assessment.

Step 5. Develop protocols for conducting damage assessments, recording the results, and posting public safety notifications. Make sure that the systems you decide to use are compatible with the systems used by the Fire Department, the Police Department, and local government.

Step 6. Ensure that your protocols meet your local government’s legal requirements.

Step 7. Determine what assessment supplies your team needs.

Step 8. Fundraise or seek grants to be able to purchase the supplies or ask for donations of materials.

Step 9. Make sure volunteers are given the appropriate ID badges to permit entry to the Emergency Operations Center post disaster.

Step 10. Coordinate with the Emergency Manager on how to crowdsource damage assessment from citizens and other volunteers via the Disaster Hubs and via windshield assessments submitted to the EOC.

Step 11. Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Communications Team and its subteams.

Step 12. Provide annual exercises and training for volunteers.