Date:Volunteers may be needed June 1 through Nov. 1. Orientation for the team will be held Tuesday, July 1 from 12-1 p.m., then regular reviews will be held from 12-1 p.m. on Wed., July 16, Friday, Aug. 1, and Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Participation: Open to all on-campus students. Students interested in the needs of the aging and underserved population are especially encouraged to join.

Description: In the event that an evacuation is ordered in conjunction with a disaster, such as a hurricane, for Galveston County there are 3,600 people on the island and 1600 people on the mainland who will need assistance.

Student Volunteers will:

1. Attend the HEAT orientation, and regular reviews to update preparations. (Approximately one hour each.) Attend Red Cross trainings as required.

2. Assist residents with boarding evacuation buses and preparing for the trip to Austin.

3. Interview and document the evacuee’s personal and medical information.

4. Assist evacuees at the Austin shelters (school gymnasiums).

5. Ride bus back to Galveston with residents when evacuation order is lifted.

Student volunteers are NOT expected to:

1. Diagnose or treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, perform procedures, etc.(The plan is to stock the busses with first aid kits to manage minor emergencies.) Residents are expected to bring their own medications and required health equipment with them.

Activities 1. Contact Lodie Massey (lmmassey@utmb.edu) if you would like to register for the HEAT orientation or if you would like more information on the team

2. Go to http://www.houstonredcross.org to “Be Prepared”, click on “Preparedness Tips”.

3. Plan ahead for the care of your home, family and pets. Students will receive a hurricane preparation checklist for their personal use.

4. Pack one bag for yourself. Be alert for phone and/or email contact.

5. Attend all scheduled trainings, and upon notification in the event of evacuation, meet at the Primary Care Pavilion, 2nd floor for assignments.

6. Report to assigned evacuation center to assist with loading and registering evacuees.

7. Ride bus to Austin. Assist at shelter in Austin as possible

8. Return to Galveston by bus with residents when the evacuation order is lifted.

9. Write a reflective essay summarizing your experience as a HEAT volunteer. Include what social, economic and cultural issues you noted with the population you interacted with and what you learned about teamwork with another discipline/profession. Also note whether you would recommend participation in this activity to another student. Describe what worked well, what barriers you faced, and what recommendations you might have to improve the process for the future.

Activity Objectives:

1. Identify appropriate supplies for a first aid kit for residents evacuating by bus during a disaster.

2. Determine how best to assist Galveston island and mainland residents who need to be evacuated by mass transportation during a disaster.

3. Identify how best to manage persons with multiple medical problems during an evacuation.

4. Acquire knowledge about effective communications skills required to participate in a multidisciplinary hurricane evacuation team.