FAQ

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What is the Emergency System for Advanced Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP)?

The mission of the ESAR-VHP program is to establish a national interoperable network of state based volunteer registration systems for managing volunteers at all tiers of response. Each system verifies the identity, credentials, certifications, licenses, and hospital privileges of health professionals who volunteer to provide health services during a public health emergency.

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What is NH Responds?

Your ESAR-VHP system is an initiative to pre-register, manage, and mobilize clinical and non-clinical volunteers to help in responding to all types of disasters. The volunteer management system is part of a nation-wide effort to make sure that volunteer professionals can be quickly identified and their credentials checked so that they can be properly utilized in response to a public health emergency or disaster.

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Why is NH Responds necessary?

Recent experience with large scale disasters has consistently shown that an effective response requires that volunteers be pre-credentialed and deployed through a coordinated effort. Well meaning but unaffiliated volunteers who spontaneously present to disaster sites are often unable to be assigned. With limited time and resources to process volunteers, often only those with known credentials are permitted access to the disaster response. By registering with the site, you can be part of an alert system and respond, when activated, to a significant disaster or public health emergency. The site serves to improve volunteer coordination during an emergency.

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How do I register?

Registering is as simple as logging on to the web site and entering the information requested. Select “Register Now” button on the home page to begin the registration process. If you are an existing member of a participating program, please indicate your participation in that program during the registration process. You should have information about your applicable license and contact information available in order to complete the registration process. You may start and stop the registration process at any time. Simply login to the system using the username and password you have created to complete any sections you have not finished.

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Is my information safe?

Every possible step relating to data integrity and security is taken by the staff in order to prevent abuse and protect participants’ privacy. Please review the Privacy Policy and contact us if you would like further information.

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Who will have access to my personal data?

You, your local volunteer program administrator, specified staff at local Emergency Preparedness centers, and the vendor contracted to maintain the Site and its services will have access to the data. Anyone with access to the data will be trained in proper security and privacy procedures. Your information will be contained within a central, secure database. Your information will ONLY be used to engage you in activities related to your local volunteer program, including recruitment for participation in a disaster drill or exercise, to provide you with program information or to request your assistance at the time of a large-scale disaster or public health emergency.

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I have already started registering with this System. How do I complete the registration process?

If you have started but have not completed registering, you will need to log in with the username and password you initially provided when you started the registration process. If your account is not in the system, you will need to start the registration process from the beginning.

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How will I update or change my information?

During registration, you will set a secure and unique user name and password. You will need this information to re-enter on the website to update your contact information, obtain general program information, or to register for the program’s online training courses. We request that you update your information any time you have a change in status. In addition, we recommend that you check your profile and update as needed every six (6) months.

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Should I join a local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) or other volunteer group in addition to registering with NH Responds?

Most emergencies occur locally and on a smaller scale. Therefore, it is important that local organizations have their own volunteer base. Those organizations will also be able to access state, regional and national volunteer registries to supplement their local forces during a larger event. To be a volunteer locally for a particular organization such as a MRC, you will need to sign up with that unit and register with the system. Registering with the ESAR-VHP system will allow you to indicate that you are registered as a volunteer locally. Registering locally will provide you opportunities to participate in additional training and exercises, and perform non-emergency volunteer roles locally.

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Who can volunteer?

Anyone can volunteer. An emphasis is currently being placed on the recruitment of licensed medical and healthcare volunteers that will satisfy clinical needs and provide surge capacity for public health emergencies. However, volunteers who do not have any medical training are welcomed and are encouraged to register. There will be a need for volunteers with all types of skills and expertise, such as those who are skilled in: interpretation (languages and hearing impaired); administration; transportation training; provision of day care; security; computers; clerical work; data entry; and construction. All volunteers are valued, even if you have no specific qualifications other than the willingness to help.

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How many volunteers are needed?

The number of volunteers that will actually be needed will vary depending on the size and magnitude of the emergency event. A major emergency could overwhelm the capabilities of first responders, particularly during the first 12 to 72 hours. Medical and other health volunteers, as well as non-medical volunteers, would provide an important “surge” capacity during this critical period and supplement medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities. Volunteers will play vital roles in bridging gaps, and enhance the overall capabilities of the community’s emergency response plans. There is also the chance a number of volunteers will have conflicts that will prevent them from volunteering at the time they are requested to help. A sufficient number of volunteers should be registered so each community will have enough volunteers when the need arises.

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What is required for participation?

You must first register with the program. Your local program administrator for your area may contact you about their expectations for participation. If and when activation becomes necessary, you will be contacted through the system and asked about your availability. All volunteers can accept or refuse a request for help. No matter what the extent of the need is, these are voluntary deployments and you are not required to participate.

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Do I have to have any special training or expertise to volunteer?

Your local program administrator will contact you for training opportunities, or any requirements for participation. FREE training to volunteers is provided on a variety of emergency related topics. These trainings will be provided through volunteer symposia, live webcasts/broadcasts, local, area and state conferences, and printed or electronic materials. When you as a volunteer are asked to deploy, just-in-time training will be provided to prepare you with what can be expected, and what you need to know to help out and keep yourself safe.

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How will my credentials be verified?

Credential verification allows the system to identify volunteers who have the qualifications needed for the current emergency. Obtaining, verifying, and assessing qualifications of a healthcare professional are aspects of credential verification. Only volunteer healthcare professionals with verified credentials will be utilized to provide patient care, treatment and services in/for a healthcare organization during an emergency event. The appropriate licensing board will be utilized to verify the status of licenses.

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Under what conditions will I be contacted to provide emergency services?

You may be contacted if local, regional, state and/or interstate responder resources are not sufficient to meet the need for response and recovery efforts resulting from a natural or man-made emergency.

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Do volunteers only help in disaster time (during emergency situations)?

Although the volunteers are needed to respond to disasters or emergencies, you may be asked to volunteer for a non-emergency event, especially if you join a local MRC.

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How would I know if I was needed during a disaster?

During an event, critical information will be posted in appropriate areas on a website. Requests for volunteers will be sent through the site via emails and phone calls using the contact information that was entered into the system. In the event that you are contacted by the system, you will receive necessary information relative to the event. Therefore, please be sure that your information is accurate and up-to-date.

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If I register, am I committed to respond when called? What if I have obligations that do not allow me to volunteer at the time of an emergency?

Registration in no way commits a volunteer to respond. It is understood that personal circumstances can prevent you from volunteering. Your service is voluntary and you are not legally obligated to assist. The decision to volunteer when you are called to an emergency is up to you. As a volunteer, you should expect to be called to help in public health emergencies at any time. You are encouraged to have a preparedness plan. This preparedness plan will not only help to protect you and your family, but it just might enable you to fulfill your desire to volunteer and assist should an emergency occur.

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What if multiple programs contact me to volunteer during a crisis?

All volunteers have responsibilities that must be met before they can respond to a callout; whether it is your family, job, local MRC, local fire department, or other group or organization. You will need to decide for yourself what commitments you can make and what your preference is for deployment, which you will be able to designate in the system. Prior to accepting deployment, you should check with others and obtain any needed consent from your employer if deployment would interfere with your work schedule.

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I am a retired healthcare professional. Am I still eligible to register?

Absolutely! The value of retired medical personnel for their wealth of knowledge and experience is well recognized. Retired healthcare professionals are more likely to be available during a public health emergency, as currently licensed and employed professional may be needed at their place of employment during a disaster.

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If I am not currently employed, but keep my license current. May I register?

Yes, for many of the same reasons as the person that is retired. Licensed healthcare professionals are needed and are strongly encouraged to register.

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May I register if I’m not currently licensed or practicing in a medical field?

Yes. There will be many needs for unlicensed health professionals, as well as a need for those without medical training who may serve as general volunteers. Whether you are actively licensed, a student, retired health professional, or someone with an interest in volunteering during a health emergency, you are encouraged to register.

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I do not have a medical background; can I still register and volunteer?

Yes, individual citizens interested in volunteering during a disaster are necessary to supporting a public health disaster. The needs of potential assignments are not limited to only healthcare professionals. The site is open to any medical, public health professional/student as well as non-medical individuals.

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I have an out-of-state license. Am I still eligible to register in the volunteer register?

Yes, out-of-state volunteers are accepted in the system. Currently, however, the system is only verifying in-state licenses. Due to the inability to verify your medical license, you may be approved as a non-medical group member.

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What types of tasks will I be assigned?

Needs and tasks will be determined by the event. Volunteer information will be used to assign tasks to volunteers based on the individual’s qualifications and experience. Every attempt will be made to match the skills and license or registration level of the volunteer with their assignment during an emergency response. You can expect that you will be asked to perform tasks that are consistent with and not to exceed your level of licensure; sometimes healthcare professionals may be assigned to tasks that are less challenging than their usual professional activities, including non-medical and general tasks, during emergencies.

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What will be my level or length of commitment in an emergency?

There is no specific required length of service; it is entirely voluntary. Deployments may last 3 to 14 days however special circumstances may require shorter or longer deployments. Your participation is expected to be determined by your own availability. Each volunteer should determine his/her current availability, based on the following:

  • What type of incident are you willing to respond to?
  • What distance are you willing to travel?
  • How long are you willing to be deployed?

When you receive the notification to volunteer, you will also receive information regarding the event and other important instructions so that you may determine whether or not you want to volunteer.

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Can I specify that I want to volunteer in my own community or outside my community?

Yes. You can indicate that you are only willing to volunteer in your local area and/or that you are willing to volunteer in the event of a larger emergency that occurs in other communities, statewide, or even in other states that may require your assistance.

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What kind of credentials will I have to provide during a deployment?

All volunteers must provide valid identification. Those working in a professional capacity will also have to provide their current professional license.

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Are there any specific health concerns (e.g., vaccinations) that are required for me to participate?

No prior vaccinations are required for volunteers. However, in the event of certain emergencies (e.g., pandemic influenza, bioterrorism) where a medical countermeasure is available you may receive the countermeasure if needed.

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I am a program administrator and would like to learn more about having my emergency response program included in this System?

If you are a program administrator for an emergency response organization, and would like to learn how your organization can qualify for the program, please contact us.

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FAQ Disclaimer

These FAQs are for informational purposes only. Nothing within these FAQs is meant to provide specific legal guidance or advice to any person. Rather, these FAQs are meant to serve as an assessment tool for individuals who are considering participation in the Volunteer Registry. Readers should consult with their own attorneys about these laws and their applicability to particular situations or organizations.

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