DSHR News & Updates

Introduction

The DSHR News and Upates page will be used to inform members of new developments in national deployment: Group and Activity changes, new training requirements, new procedures, etc. We will pass on information as we receive it with CrossNet links, if available.

See Response Log for current DSHR reponses, if any.

See the DSHR Open Requests at right for current requests.

August 4, 2008 New DSHR Info Website

A new website has been created to help chapters manage their DSHR Program. This new website is updated and maintained by the DSHR Team Leaders. It does not require a password. This website is not intended to replace CrossNet. Instead, the new DSHR website is intended to work with CrossNet to provide Chapters with the information they need to manage their DSHR program. See DSHR Info Website link in box at right.

July 20, 2008 New DSHR Open Requests link

The Open Requests form is now more official and the link has changed. The new link is in the box at right. There are two links: one to the live page for high speed connections, the second is a static page for dial-up connections. The live page updates automatically. To update the static page, click "Refresh" in your browser.

July 20, 2008, DSHR Call-Down in Progress

• We started a call-down of DSHR members on July 14. The purpose of the call-down is to update records, including personal and emergency contact information, Group/Activity preferences, availability preferences, and in some cases to determine if members still wish to be active chapter volunteers.
• We will continue to follow-up on returned phone calls and to recall members who have not called back. We hope to contact everyone and assure that we have an updated roster going into this year's hurricane season.

July 10, 2008, California still at risk

• The Northern California DR is still in operation, with occasional requests coming in for responders. Most positions are being filled by people who are within driving distance in DSHR Territory 1 (we are Territory 2.) However, we never know what will happen and encourage all DSHR members to keep their availability up to date. If you can't navigate the Self-Serve system, call staffing (503-280-1495) to report your availability and we will record it in your record.

June 12, 2008 DSHR New Recruitment procedure in progress.

• We are not receiving Open Request spreadsheets, but are instead connected to a BETA version of the spreadsheet being used by the DSHR Team Leaders. the spreadsheet is updated continually and will give you a view of what is happening.
• Click on the following for more info on the current situation. Message from DSHR Territory 2 Management.

June 8, 2008. Text of Team Leader Email.

• New Message 1:30 pm. Lots of new requests folks, and they are now ALL open for us to fill from Territory 1 + 2.
• Chapter Recruiters,
  Here's an updated request............with more additions!
  We have been asked to hold off on recruiting for the DR769 positions until the nearby areas have a chance to fill what they can.  I’m including them on the spreadsheet, so that you can see what we MIGHT be recruiting for later today.
  Please keep updating the availability in the DSHR system; I will keep running reports throughout the day.  I am now able to fill any of the remaining positions on DR816. 
  Good Luck, let's finish them up

June 7, 2008. Text of email from DSHR Team Leader, 6/7/08, 4:00 pm

Chapter DSHR Recruiters,
Great job!! Including the other territories, we’ve been able to assign 55 people in a mere 3 hours time!
I’ve attached the updated Open Recruitment Requests…note that Territory 2 is recruiting Supervisors and above listed on the sheet except for those shaded in blue (Health Services and Mental Health), where we are also recruiting the SA’s (we need all we can get).
I will be pulling the next availability from the system in an hour or so, so if you have anyone else that becomes available, please make sure their availability is in the system and they have the availability code ‘CN’ (available nationally). Everyone is doing really well with the new system. Keep up the good work :)

May 22, 2008

No Current Open Requests. Although you have heard about many weather-related disasters throughout the country, there are no current open requests for deployment of DSHR members. This is, at least in part, a consequence of some of the issues discussed in the entry below.

Self-Serve email on the way. Members are expected to maintain their own availability using the DSHR Self-Service system. The login instructions, User Ids and passwords have been sent to all OTC DSHR members. If you already have your login and password, go directly to the DSHR Self-Service page to update your availability.

Active Disaster Responder requirements enforced. DSHR members are expected to keep their records up-to-date. This includes completing and returning the annual Health Status Record, updating all license expiration dates, and satisfying current training requirements. Members whose records are not updated are coded as Temporarily Inactive.

Permanent Inactivation. The chapter is currently reviewing all TI records and will permanently inactivate those members who have not rectified their TI status for more than six months.

Reinstatement. Members who are inactivated are welcome to request reinstatement when they are able to again meet DSHR requirements and maintain eligibility for deployment.

May 22, 2008

There are many changes happening within the national system that will affect our Chapter DSHR members.

National Headquarters Restructuring. The Oregon Trail Chapter now works directly with the Disaster Operations Center at national headquarters for level II disaster relief operations. This provides the chapter an opportunity to work directly with the staff at national headquarters during larger disasters and will streamline our ability to receive human and material resources and technical guidance from group and activity leads. The Service Area structure has been replaced with a leaner structure that focuses on building chapter capacity and we are supported by a Disaster Officer based in Spokane, WA who has responsibility for supporting Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Click here for more detailed information on the national headquarters restructuring.

OTC designated a Regional Chapter. Oregon Trail has been designated as a Regional Chapter for the state, with some support responsibilities for Oregon's Community Chapters. The full impact of this has also yet to be determined.

Fewer deployments of Service Associates. Regions experiencing disasters are being directed to use local chapter and spontaneous volunteers to fill most, if not all, service associate positions required by the operation. We experienced this directive when responding to the December 07 floods, and have noticed the lack of SA requests for other disasters. With the exception of Health and Mental Health, most requests are for Supervisors, Managers, and Administrators.

Changes in Lodging. Responders should expect to share a room on all deployments, and to be assigned to a staff shelter on larger operations.

Changes in Recruitment/Availability procedures. National is encouraging all chapters to get their members up to speed on the DSHR Self-Service system, whereby members can update availability dates in their own DSHR records. (click here for more info.)

Client Casework Training Requirements. Many DSHR members took the Family Service: Providing Emergency Assistance class several years ago. This class has been updated and CAC and CAS training is also required. Client Casework responders cannot expect to be deployed without this updated training. Check the Training Calendar to determine when these classes are offered.