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Volunteering In SMART
Volunteer FAQs
If you HAVE NOT registered with one of the SMART teams, you cannot deploy as a SMART
volunteer. The State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team reserves the right to turn
away any non-registered volunteers during a disaster. Deploying yourself independently
causes risk to your own liability and safety. Often times well-meaning individuals end up
causing more chaos in an already hectic situation. Our volunteers are required to register
and complete SMART training.
How can I join SMART?
If you are interested in joining SMART, please visit the Contact Us page. It lists the individual
teams that make up SMART. If you are unsure which team is appropriate for you, please
check out the team pages HERE.
What type of training is required for SMART volunteers?
Our volunteers are required to sign a Code of Conduct, fill out a registration form and
complete ICS 100 (Incident Command System, Level 100), NIMS 700 (National Incident
Management System, Level 700) and Animals In Disasters. This involves a couple of hours to
download the tests, read the materials and take the test. These courses are free and can be
found at: http://training.fema.gov/IS/ Individual teams may require additional training.
What happens if I am injured while volunteering with SMART?
Please read over our liability and legal FAQs. Click HERE.
Can I be sued while volunteering with SMART?
Please read over our liability and legal FAQs. Click HERE.
Once I become a volunteer how will I know when I can help in a
disaster?You can only deploy with the team you are registered with. (Example: A Search and
Rescue volunteer cannot deploy with the Veterinary Services team) Your team leader will deploy you
if you are needed. You cannot self deploy using the name SMART. Any use of the SMART
name/logo without authorization from your team leader will result in loss of membership.
Do I have to deploy during a disaster?
Membership is VOLUNTARY, but proper registration is mandatory. No one is required to
work with the team during a disaster.
How can I help in my own community?
Contact your local Emergency Management Director and Animal Control Officer to see if there
is an established group of volunteers that is addressing animal issues in your community. If
not, offer your support and assistance in organizing that effort. You might even inquire on your
own to see if there are any hotels in the area that are pet friendly. Keep that list with you as
part of your own personal emergency disaster plan.
How can I find out if my community has an animal disaster plan?
Each community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a Community Emergency
Management Plan. Contact your local Emergency Management Director to see if there is a
plan in place that addresses the animal component, such as evacuation and sheltering of
pets.
volunteer. The State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team reserves the right to turn
away any non-registered volunteers during a disaster. Deploying yourself independently
causes risk to your own liability and safety. Often times well-meaning individuals end up
causing more chaos in an already hectic situation. Our volunteers are required to register
and complete SMART training.
How can I join SMART?
If you are interested in joining SMART, please visit the Contact Us page. It lists the individual
teams that make up SMART. If you are unsure which team is appropriate for you, please
check out the team pages HERE.
What type of training is required for SMART volunteers?
Our volunteers are required to sign a Code of Conduct, fill out a registration form and
complete ICS 100 (Incident Command System, Level 100), NIMS 700 (National Incident
Management System, Level 700) and Animals In Disasters. This involves a couple of hours to
download the tests, read the materials and take the test. These courses are free and can be
found at: http://training.fema.gov/IS/ Individual teams may require additional training.
What happens if I am injured while volunteering with SMART?
Please read over our liability and legal FAQs. Click HERE.
Can I be sued while volunteering with SMART?
Please read over our liability and legal FAQs. Click HERE.
Once I become a volunteer how will I know when I can help in a
disaster?You can only deploy with the team you are registered with. (Example: A Search and
Rescue volunteer cannot deploy with the Veterinary Services team) Your team leader will deploy you
if you are needed. You cannot self deploy using the name SMART. Any use of the SMART
name/logo without authorization from your team leader will result in loss of membership.
Do I have to deploy during a disaster?
Membership is VOLUNTARY, but proper registration is mandatory. No one is required to
work with the team during a disaster.
How can I help in my own community?
Contact your local Emergency Management Director and Animal Control Officer to see if there
is an established group of volunteers that is addressing animal issues in your community. If
not, offer your support and assistance in organizing that effort. You might even inquire on your
own to see if there are any hotels in the area that are pet friendly. Keep that list with you as
part of your own personal emergency disaster plan.
How can I find out if my community has an animal disaster plan?
Each community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a Community Emergency
Management Plan. Contact your local Emergency Management Director to see if there is a
plan in place that addresses the animal component, such as evacuation and sheltering of
pets.
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