Energy Team: Team Development

Step 1. Reach out to local tech groups in your community. There might be some at your local high school or colleges. You might also find some through other organizations like Rotary Club or for-profit energy and utility companies. 

Step 2. Identify a Team Lead.

Step 3. Have volunteers take FEMA IS-100 (An Introduction to the Incident Command System) and IS-700 (An Introduction to the National Incident Management System) and pursue certification as needed in their communication technologies of interest.

Step 4. Identify all the locations where your community might need essential power technology when a disaster hits. Include your community’s Emergency Operations Center, Disaster Hubs, and Community-Level centers, like the Disaster Medical Center, Severe Weather Shelters, the Child Reunification Center, and the Domestic Animal Care Shelter.

Step 5. Determine which energy technologies would best serve your community. Remember that part of the decision involves the interests of available volunteers. Identify all the additional equipment and supplies that will be needed.

Step 6. Fundraise or seek grants to be able to purchase supplies or ask for donations of materials.

Step 7. Work to equip all of the identified locations with the right backup energy technology for a disaster scenario.

Step 8. Try to get energy-specific training for community members to enable them to help their streets and neighborhoods with backup power. 

Step 9. Support the Ready Your Street program with utilities education for community residents.

Step 10. Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Energy Team.

Step 11. Create an annual plan for the team and carry out the objectives.

Step 12. Provide annual exercises and training for volunteers.