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The Utility of and Risks Associated With the Use of Spontaneous Volunteers in Disaster Response: A Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2014

Lauren M. Sauer ,
Christina Catlett ,
Robert Tosatto  and
Thomas D. Kirsch
Lauren M. Sauer*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine and Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland Department of Emergency Medicine, the Center for Refugee and Disaster Response, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
Christina Catlett
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine and Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Robert Tosatto
Affiliation:
Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, Office of the US Surgeon General, Washington, DC
Thomas D. Kirsch
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine and Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland Department of Emergency Medicine, the Center for Refugee and Disaster Response, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Lauren Sauer, MS, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Emergency Medicine, 5801 Smith Ave, Davis Bldg, Ste 3220, Baltimore, MD 21209 (e-mail [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

The use of spontaneous volunteers (SV) is common after a disaster, but their limited training and experience can create a danger for the SVs and nongovernmental voluntary organizations (NVOs). We assessed the experience of NVOs with SVs during disasters, how they were integrated into the agency's infrastructure, their perceived value to previous responses, and liability issues associated with their use.

Methods

Of the 51 National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters organizations that were contacted for surveys, 24 (47%) agreed to participate.

Results

Of the 24 participating organizations, 19 (72%) had encountered SVs during a response, most (79%) used them regularly, and 68% believed that SVs were usually useful. SVs were always credentialed by 2 organizations, and sometimes by 6 (31%). One organization always performed background checks; 53% provided just-in-time training for SVs; 26% conducted evaluations of SV performance; and 21% provided health or workers compensation benefits. Two organizations reported an SV death; 42% reported injuries; 32% accepted legal liability for the actions of SVs; and 16% were sued because of actions by SVs.

Conclusions

The use of SVs is widespread, but NVOs are not necessarily structured to incorporate them effectively. More structured efforts to integrate SVs are critical to safe and effective disaster response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;8:65-69)

Keywords

spontaneous volunteersdisaster responsenongovernmental organizations
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 65 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2014 

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