Lesson 2: PreDeployment

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Lesson 2 Pre-Deployment
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Introduction

• Congratulations! Youve been selected to be a
  DEMPS Volunteer.
• This lesson reviews ways you need to prepare for
  deployment, including
• - Personally
• - Financially
• - Medically

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Introduction

• Pre-deployment encompasses all of the
  DEMPS-related activities that happen prior to
  disaster response.
• Pre-deployment activities for Volunteers include
• - Volunteering
• - Verification of information
• - Confirmation of readiness
• - Preparing for deployment

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Lesson Topics

• Reasons to deploy
• Individual deployment readiness
• Family deployment readiness
• Travel
• Compensation
• Packing and supplies
• Flexibility
• Deployment Area Specific Information (DASI)

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Learning Objectives

• Explain the reasons why one should and should not
  volunteer for DEMPS deployment.
• Identify the necessary personal, medical, and
  financial preparations that must be taken care of
  prior to deployment.
• Prepare a Family Care Plan.
• Identify deployment requirements related to
  travel and compensation.
• Pack appropriately for a 14-day mission.
• State the ways in which DEMPS Volunteers must be
  flexible.

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Reasons to Deploy

• You should deploy because you wish to help those
  in need.
• Deployment should be a personal choice.

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Reasons to Deploy

• You should not deploy because of a desire
• for
• Overtime
• Comp time
• Bonuses
• Recognition

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Individual Deployment Readiness

• Prior to deployment, you need to prepare.
• You will meet face-to-face with your DEMPS
  Coordinator.

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Individual Deployment Readiness

• Keep your Volunteer information current and
  up-to-date.
• Ensure you have appropriate checklists.
• Be ready personally, financially, and medically.

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Individual Deployment Readiness

• You should examine any personal situations that
• may be adversely affected by a deployment,
• including
• Personal responsibilities
• Health and diet concerns
• Financial obligations
• Ability to work the required shifts
• Ongoing special projects
• Clinical workloads

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Individual Deployment Readiness

• The pre-deployment checklist will help you
  prepare for deployment.
• The checklist contains specific personal and
  VA-related items that you should bring with you
  when deployed.
• Remember to charge your personal cell phone prior
  to deployment.

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Family Deployment Readiness

• Complete a Family Care Plan, which contains
• - Vital information to keep household running
• - Emergency information
• The DEMPS Volunteer Deployment Guidebook provides
  questions to guide your Family Care Plan.
• Give your DEMPS Coordinator contact information
  for your family.

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Travel

• Your travel plan must be in FedTraveler.
• All travel plans must be approved prior to
  deployment.
• If for some reason your ticket must be purchased
  outside of FedTraveler, you still must have an
  approved travel plan in FedTraveler.

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Travel

• If you have a government credit card, bring it.
• Be on time for your flight.
• Have your point of contact and phone numbers with
  you.
• Contact your DEMPS Coordinator when you arrive at
  the destination airport and site.

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Compensation

• Your compensation while deployed will be based
  upon your current VA pay.
• If you are required to work overtime, you will be
  compensated at the appropriate level.
• All work hours must be documented and verified.
• You will earn comp time for your travel.
• You will accrue annual leave as usual.

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Packing and Supplies

• Pack for 14 days, including sufficient clothing
  for 14 days.
• - Laundry facilities may not be available
• Clothing should be appropriate to duties.
• Bring comfortable footwear.
• - Sufficient support for long days or cement
  floors
• - Steel-toed shoes, if working environment
  necessitates
• Bring medications.

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Packing and Supplies

• Bring your VA ID
• Take enough toiletries for deployment period
• Consider items such as
• - Bug spray
• - Flashlights
• - Cell phone and charger
• - Travel alarm clock
• Specialty items such as batteries for tools may
  need to be purchased at the site or brought by
  vehicle.

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Packing and Supplies

• What NOT to bring
• - Golf clubs
• - Weapons
• - Alcohol
• When packing, remember this is work, NOT a
  vacation.

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Flexibility

• Prepare to be flexible during deployment.
• Disaster is not business as usual.
• Flexibility may require you to
• - Take on different job duties
• - Adjust travel plans or schedules
• - Adjust to new time zones and work shifts
• - Stay in austere housing conditions
• - Change venues
• - Work with outside organizations

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Deployment Area Specific Information

• Prior to deployment, you will receive information
  about the location from your DEMPS Coordinator.
• You will be informed about
• - Weather
• - Geography
• - Local transportation, meals, and lodging

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Summary

• In this lesson, you learned about the various
• preparations you must make prior to departure
• on a deployment mission including
• How you can make sure that you are ready to
  deploy personally, financially, and medically.
• What checklists you should use to prepare.
• Details about packing, travel, compensation, and
  deployment site conditions.