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Department of Human Resources outlines disaster service worker rollout, training deadlines and call‑out tests
Summary
DHR Director Mickey Callanan reviewed the city—s Disaster Service Worker program: mandatory duty language in job announcements and evaluations, three required trainings (city DSW video by June 2008, NIMS/ICS courses as assigned, and Red Cross personal preparedness by Dec. 30, 2008), and successful handheld card reader call‑out tests that tracked staff and volunteer responses.
Mickey Callanan, Director of the Department of Human Resources, presented the city—s Disaster Service Worker (DSW) program and described administrative steps to make the duty part of job announcements and performance evaluations. She said the mayor issued an executive directive outlining DSW responsibilities and that job postings now include a DSW paragraph explaining the loyalty oath, required training and obligations to report when ordered.
Callanan outlined three training elements: a 20‑minute city DSW video to be completed by June 2008 and integrated into performance evaluations; National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) training as designated by DEM; and personal preparedness training produced with the American Red Cross, with completion data to be fed back to DHR by weekly downloads. She said the Red Cross online training is being tracked and DHR will import completions into PeopleSoft.
Callanan described a recent DHR‑led call‑out exercise that used the BayArea health system website and handheld card readers. The test involved automated recorded calls that asked employees if they could report within specified time windows and an interactive test for select staff who physically checked in with DHR using their DSW cards and handheld readers. Callanan said the exercise demonstrated system capability, surfaced data issues (outdated contact numbers and scanner data anomalies), and suggested future expansion to volunteers and skills‑based registration in the HR system so managers can quickly identify employees with hazmat or other certifications.
Callanan also addressed union questions: she said bargaining language was negotiated and that SEIU had not identified an impact from DSW duties; she advised members to raise contract impacts with employee relations.
