United States Volunteer Emergency Management
Protocol
Ethics, Mission, and Policy
Members with open and/or recent wounds may not participate in any Medical Assistance until cleared by medical unit officer or physician as determined by Commanding Officer.
ON U.S.V.E.M. Property
Volunteering with U.S.V.E.M. is not for “thin-skinned” or “faint of heart”.
Preventing Graft & Fraud
Please direct MEMBER QUESTIONS regarding Protocol to the e-mail prompt below:
(Place your SID in the Subject Line)
Protocol
Ethics, Mission, and Policy
- U.S.V.E.M. is a disciplined, skill-and-character-building entity. Chain-of-Command will be followed as directed. All members are encouraged to pursue intuitive, fact-based solutions to exigent occurrences, following protocol and law whilst advancing the fields of modern emergency management and response, mitigation, recovery, and integrated project ideas.
- Members respect & honor the American Flag, demonstrating proper raising, lowering, folding, and salutatory actions. Color Guards will precede any parade or military function as appropriate.
- Interagency Membership: While the participation in Fire, EMS, RACES, ARES, and the like are encouraged, Members ON DUTY must not display any apparel or signage, insignia, etc. identifying them as an active member of a different or related agency or organization. This is to prevent IC and public-interaction confusion and clearly delineate resources. This also applies to emergency vehicle lighting, as use of lights indicating response to a different effect (i.e. We may respond to a incident alongside FD, however, if you are NOT responding as a member of said FD, you may not use said flashing lights) is prohibited and may be in violation of local/state law. If you authorized for siren(s) and/or emergency lights by U.S.V.E.M. and/or appropriate agency, you are responsible for proper usage of such devices.
- Members On Duty must display minimum 1 U.S.V.E.M.-approved insignia/identifying item and possess their U.S.V.E.M. MEMBER I.D. at all times. Uniform may vary depending on event/shift/etc. Refer to your Commanding Officer who has discretion.
- Members at official functions and/or in Class A Dress Uniform will salute, with right hand, ranking officers as appropriate. Members will fall in (assemble), stand At Ease, or At Attention at the direction of ranking members, or at the entrance/presence made known of a commanding Officer (standing at attention).
- Class A and Class B DUTY UNIFORMS MUST BE WORN NEATLY, WITH ONLY U.S.V.E.M. logos/ rank/ insignia/ certification/ etc. displayed while in said uniform. MEMBERS MAY NOT MISREPRESENT THEIR UNIT(S) AND/OR TRAINING AND/OR RANK. NON-MEMBERS MAY NOT DISPLAY ANY CURRENTLY APPROVED DUTY UNIFORM(S) OF ANY TYPE, INCLUDING DUTY T-SHIRTS.
- Apparel for U.S.V.E.M. NON-MEMBER SUPPORTERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE, WITH U.S.V.E.M. MEMBERS PAYING “AT COST” PRICE FOR SUCH ITEMS IF PURCHASED. Discount may be used by member’s family also.
- Members will conduct themselves politely in civil society in and out of uniform. At no time may a member’s pants sag below their waistline. Hats, Duty Hats especially, will be warn with brim facing front. Limited exceptions include: Rear-facing brim for mask, mechanical work or manual labor, private casual wear, or sporting activities.
- Facial Hair- With respect to religious liberty, facial hair must be maintained in a neat fashion as not to impede the possible use of of a gas mask, respirators (i.e. P.A.P.R.), SCBA, SCUBA, and/or other type of respiratory device that may require a FULL SEAL against one’s face. Recommended length is up to 1”.
- Hair (Scalp)- In the interest of safety, all hair is below the neckline must be tied back. It must be demonstrable that you can quickly and properly don PPE that covers your head and/or secures a mask’s complete seal to your face.
- Headwear- Non-Religious head adornments must be approved U.S.V.E.M. headwear. No displays of company logos, slogans, etc. while ON DUTY/IN CLASS A UNIFORM. This includes headwear indicating services of another agency (i.e. skull cap reading
- ”FIRE”) as this can impede efficient and effective resource identification (ICS). Keep loose ends of scarves tucked into clothing to prevent injury from machinery, snagging, or potential pulling by civilians.
- Rings- must not present tear,rip, cut, or otherwise damage hazard to PPE, especially gloves (i.e. nitrile). It is highly recommended that rings be safely secured off (stored securely) while on duty.
- Necklaces- must be warn inside uniform (within upper-most layer of material) to prevent strangling, pulling, snagging, or theft. Refrain from wearing any jewelry of high monetary value.
Members with open and/or recent wounds may not participate in any Medical Assistance until cleared by medical unit officer or physician as determined by Commanding Officer.
ON U.S.V.E.M. Property
- Firearms: After seeking initial permission from a commanding officer, including verification of permitting & credentials, ONLY licensed and properly permitted members may posses a firearm. To possess a firearm during off-site operations (if you are not also a law enforcement official), members must be approved for U.S.V.E.M. ESF#13: Public Safety, with proper documentation copied and stored by U.S.V.E.M. administration. This applies to the possession of ammunition, non-lethal devices (i.e. taser), crossbows, and any other indicated device, weapon, or implement per commanding officer.
- IMPORTANT: Per DHS/FEMA USAR Rules: Members participating in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations MUST BE UNARMED
- BEFORE APPLYING IN ANY WAY, BE ADVISED:
Volunteering with U.S.V.E.M. is not for “thin-skinned” or “faint of heart”.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: at NO TIME may any member of any rank publicly identify, via any medium, a “survivor”, “victim”, “patient”, “evacuee”, or other such civilian, or a first responder injured or in distress, or anyone at all receiving treatment. ONLY an authorized Public Information Officer may seek written permission from said person if deemed appropriate by a Commanding Officer or Incident Command.
- Media Inquiries: Only authorized PIOs (Public Information Officer) may make statements to the media or general public. Information originating from Official U.S.V.E.M. social media may be re-posted, with source cited if used in news/media reports. All other members must refer such inquiries to the Public Information Officer, or simply reply with “no comment” if sensitive information is the subject of any non-responder questioning. Refer official law enforcement inquiries to your Commanding Officer on scene, or Command dispatch.
- Misrepresentation, “abuse of power”, acting on behalf of U.S.V.E.M. while unauthorized, and/or purposely acting in any manner which may damage the public interest or mission efficacy of U.S.V.E.M. is grounds for immediate dismissal and civil action, with investigation into the pursuit of criminal prosecution.
- Soliciting political, corporate/business, personal, material, influential, and/or legal favors, favoritism, gifts, “quid pro quo” donations, “pay-for-play” contributions, or any such act deemed unethical is grounds for immediate dismissal and prosecution.
- Response ethics: Triage by protocol and/or IC directive ONLY, regardless of social standing, personal connection, or otherwise. Proper triage preserves the most lives possible.
- Pets: Members are not permitted to “bring along” untrained, domesticated pets, livestock, or any other animal to an operations area, HQ, base, or other official facility. If member animal must be moved to safety prior to deploying, arrange to do so in advance, and inform Command dispatch as soon as possible. Only trained U.S.V.E.M.-approved Search and Rescue Canines, Comfort Dogs, and associated equipment for their care is permitted. All other situations: refer to Disaster Animal Rescue Unit/D.A.R.S.T. Mounted Unit is self-contained, for equestrian responders only.
- Tattoos/Piercing: obscene and/or potentially dangerous body modifications must be properly covered/arranged for personal safety (i.e. piercing snag or tear hazard). Referred to your Commanding Officer for 1-on-1 consultation.
Preventing Graft & Fraud
- No gifts, gratuities, “homemade food”/beverage, or any such receipt of material(s) from the public is permitted by any member. U.S.V.E.M. business cards or directions to a donation collection site can be provided. NEVER ACCEPT CASH. If the citizen would like to make a cash donation, refer them to the highest-ranking Commanding Officer in your AO (Area of Operations), whereas Administration can secure the donation and provide a proper receipt. If you have questions in the field, contact Command dispatch DURING NON-EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ONLY. Provide the public with FRAUD PREVENTION TIPS and contact numbers as needed.
Please direct MEMBER QUESTIONS regarding Protocol to the e-mail prompt below:
(Place your SID in the Subject Line)