How to Respond to Disasters through CBF
Register
E-mail Chris Boltin and register your intention to volunteer.
Sample list of what to Bring (varies according to location)
You will need to bring a lightweight cot or air mattress and light-weight sleeping bag, as well as toilet articles, towels and cool clothing, mosquito repellant, sun screen, bottled water, hat, one first aid kit per team and work gloves for everyone. Your team will do well to have available several N90 filtration masks, capable of filtering out mold. Fortunately, many of the structures we will be restoring have already been gutted and disinfected. If your team leader has a GPS unit with street maps, this might also prove beneficial.
Tools and Materials
We will provide tools and materials, unless you prefer to use you own tools.
Length of Stay
Our experence is that four intense work days are maximum. Then, people need a break. Generally, groups arrive on Sunday evening, work hard Monday through Thursday and return home on Friday. Of course, you can generally set your own schedule.
Meals
At this point, you can assume that you will be responsible for supplying and preparing you're your meals. Kitchen facilities are available. There are some exceptions to this, depending upon the worksite.
Size of teams
We have found it more effective for volunteer groups to organize themselves into teams of six or seven members each, with a designated leader, and do this before they arrive on the worksite. Larger groups can organize into teams of six or seven people each, again with designated captains. Various skills can be distributed evenly among the teams.
Skill levels
It will be most helpful, although not necessary, if your team has at least one person with experience in light construction work. Anyone who is physically capable of working will find a meaningful role to perform.
Youth trips
CBF Disaster Response typically does accommodate volunteers under 18 years of age, so long as they remain under supervision by an adult. They do qualify for travel insurance described below.
Travel Insurance
CBF requires all volunteers to obtain secondary insurance. This insurance can cover the whole length of time on the trip, including from the day you depart to the day you return to your home city. Insurance is secured through Adams & Associates International. Be sure to complete this process early in your preparation. Originals of the secondary insurance papers and the check can be sent directly to Adams & Associates offices in South Carolina. Coverage also can be arranged by going to the Adams & Associates International website: www.aaintl.com Click on the "Online Enrollment" button at the top of the screen. The USER Name is: CBF; The Password is: VOLUNTEER
Both the USA and International options are available and CBF will be automatically notified of your enrollment. ID cards will be available "on-line" after your enrollment is submitted.
The importance of secondary insurance for US assignments is that it provides volunteers with:
-Excess Accidental Insurance
-Security of knowing that there is not an out of pocket expense for the volunteer if on a CBF volunteer mission trip
- Accidental Insurance for specific volunteer missions up to $10,000 with a deductible of $50
If a volunteer does not have insurance, this becomes their primary insurance for US trips only. Contact Adams & Associates International if you are in need of a short-term USA primary medical coverage.
Adams & Associates International
PO Box 5845 Columbia, SC 29250 – 5845
Tel: (803) 758-1400 Fax: (803) 252-1988
Email: aai@aaintl.com
Internet: www.aaintl.com