FAQ

• What is ESAR-VHP?
• What is the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry?
• Why is it important for me to be on the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry?
• Is my information safe?
• Who will have access to my personal data?
• What if I get injured? Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?
• What is Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
• Who can volunteer for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
• What is Citizen Corps?
• Who can volunteer for Citizen Corps?
• What is Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC)?
• Who can volunteer for OMRC?
• What if I am not employed as a health professional or have retired but keep by license active?
• What if I was a licensed health professional but am now retired and no longer hold a valid license? Am I still eligible to register with OMRC?
• What if I am a student in a healthcare profession, can I register with OMRC?
• I have an out of state healthcare license. Am I eligible to register with Ohio Responds?
• I live in another State adjoining Ohio. Can I register with Ohio Responds?
• What is Radiation Response Volunteer Corps (RRVC)?
• Who can volunteer for RRVC?
• Should I join a local Ohio Responds volunteer group in addition to registering with Ohio Responds?
• Do I have to have any special training or expertise to volunteer?
• Do volunteers only help during disasters and emergencies?
• How will I be notified if I am needed for a response?
• If I register, am I committed to respond when call? What if I have obligations that do not allow me to volunteer at the time of an emergency?
• What if I am a member of other volunteer organizations (i.e., Red Cross)?
• How do I register as a volunteer?
• What information is required for me to register?
• Questions?

If you did not see your question in the list above please contact us.

FAQ Disclaimer

These FAQs are for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific legal guidance or advice. Persons or organizations seeking legal guidance or advice are encouraged to consult with an attorney regarding these laws and their applicability to their particular circumstances.

What is ESAR-VHP?

The Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) is a national network of state-based registries that allows health professionals the opportunity to get their licenses and credentials verified before a disaster happens.

What is the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry?

The Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry is a system that registers, credentials, tracks, notifies, and informs willing individuals who are interested in volunteering in the event of a disaster or public health crisis. It is a centralized registry comprised of healthcare and non-healthcare professionals and is administrated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in conjunction with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA).

Why is it important for me to be on the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry?

By registering through ESAR-VHP, volunteers' identities, licenses, credentials, accreditations, and hospital privileges are all verified in advance, saving valuable time in emergency situations.

Is my information safe?

Under Ohio law, information related to a registered volunteer's personal information is not a public record. Please review the Disclaimer/Privacy Statement and Contact Us if you would like further information.

Who will have access to my personal data?

You, your local volunteer program administrator, specified staff at the ODH and Ohio EMA and the vendor contracted to maintain the site and its services will have access to the data.

What if I get injured? Are there any provisions for compensating me for time lost from work or other expenses?

Ohio laws and rules do not provide volunteers registered in Ohio Responds with Workers Compensation benefits.

What is Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.

Who can volunteer for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?

Anyone, 18 years or older, can volunteer as a CERT member.

What is Citizen Corps?

Ohio's Citizen Corps programs engage citizens in hometown preparedness through public education and training.

Who can volunteer for Citizen Corps?

Anyone 18 years or older can participate in the Ohio Citizen Corps.

What is Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC)?

The OMRC is a community-based, civilian, volunteer program that engages volunteers to help strengthen local public health infrastructure, as well as respond to disasters across the state or nation.

Who can volunteer for OMRC?

Any healthcare professionals or non-medical community members 18 years or older can register for OMRC.

What if I am not employed as a health professional or have retired but keep by license active?

As long as you maintain an active license you can volunteer as a volunteer health professional and provide services within the scope of your training, experience and licensure.

What if I was a licensed health professional but am now retired and no longer hold a valid license? Am I still eligible to register with OMRC?

Absolutely! Ohio recognizes the value of retired medical personnel for their wealth of knowledge and experience. You will be listed at Emergency Credential Level 4 and will need to verify your education and experience.

What if I am a student in a healthcare profession, can I register with OMRC?

Absolutely! Ohio recognizes the value of students in a healthcare profession and can provide members the opportunity to learn firsthand how to prepare for and respond to emergencies, promote healthy living, and supplement existing emergency and public health resources.

I have an out of state healthcare license. Am I eligible to register with Ohio Responds?

Yes, out-of-state volunteers are accepted in the system.

I live in another State adjoining Ohio. Can I register with Ohio Responds?

Yes. If you also hold a valid Ohio license, your license can be verified and you can serve within the full scope of your license.

What is Radiation Response Volunteer Corps (RRVC)?

As a partner program of the OMRC, the RRVC brings together health physicists, radiation-related medical professionals and others familiar with radiation protection to perform population monitoring at Community Reception Centers in the event of a large-scale radiation emergency.

Who can volunteer for RRVC?

Persons well versed with radiation protection activities are eligible to register as RRVC volunteers. Individuals with significant experience but not currently working in the field are welcome as well. Each volunteer's skills and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis. RRVC volunteers must also be a member of a local OMRC unit and be 18 years or older to register.

Should I join a local Ohio Responds volunteer group in addition to registering with Ohio Responds?

Absolutely! Most emergencies occur locally and on a smaller scale. Therefore, it is important that local organizations have their own volunteer base. To be a volunteer locally for a particular volunteer group, you will need to sign up with that local group as well as register with the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry. Registering locally will provide you opportunities to participate in training and exercises and perform non-emergency volunteer roles locally. Your primary role as an Ohio Responds volunteer will be responding to emergencies in your local community.

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

Volunteers registered in the Ohio Responds must complete at least one approved training every three years. A complete list of approved trainings for Citizen Corps, OMRC and RRVC are posted on the Ohio Responds Web site under the Training Opportunities tab.

Do volunteers only help during disasters and emergencies?

Although the volunteers are needed to respond to disasters or emergencies, you may be asked to volunteer for a non-emergency event, such as mass flu vaccination clinics or health screenings for school age children, especially if you join a local MRC.

How will I be notified if I am needed for a response?

Requests for volunteers will be sent through the Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry via e-mails and phone calls from your local administrator, who will provide you with the necessary information relative to the event. Therefore, please be sure that the information you give is accurate and up-to-date.

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

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.

What if I am a member of other volunteer organizations (i.e., Red Cross)?

All volunteers have responsibilities that must be met before they can respond to a callout: whether it is your family, job or other volunteer group. You will need to decide for yourself what commitments you can make and what your preference is for deployment.

How do I register as a volunteer?

Visit www.ohioresponds.odh.ohio.gov and select the "Register Now" button on the homepage to begin the registration process.

What information is required for me to register?

You should have information about your applicable license and contact information available in order to complete the registration process.

Questions?

If you have other questions or need additional information, please Contact Us.