Disaster Healthcare Volunteers

The Disaster Healthcare Volunteers (DHV) of California is a statewide program designed to pre-register, credential, and mobilize medical and healthcare professionals who are willing to volunteer during disasters and public health emergencies. Managed by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), DHV ensures that qualified volunteers can be quickly identified and deployed when needed to support the healthcare system during crises such as earthquakes, wildfires, pandemics, and other emergencies.

Who Can Register?

DHV welcomes a wide range of volunteers, including:

• Licensed healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, EMTs)
• Public health professionals
• Members of medical disaster response teams
• Retired professionals with current, valid licenses
• Behavioral health professionals
• Allied health professionals (e.g., veterinarians, coroners)
• Non-medical community members who wish to support disaster response efforts through logistics, communications, and administration

Why Should I Volunteer?

Becoming a Disaster Healthcare Volunteer enables you to:

• Help your community in times of crisis or disaster
• Receive training and gain real-world emergency experience
• Be part of a coordinated and professional response effort
• Protect public health during disasters and emergencies

How to Register

To become a Disaster Healthcare Volunteer within Mendocino County:

1. Visit the official DHV website: https://healthcarevolunteers.ca.gov
2. Click Register Now and follow the prompts.
3. Under Organization, make sure to select “Add Organizations,” click the dropdown arrow next to “DHV Volunteer County Organization,” and select “Mendocino County Unit.”
4. Provide your contact details, professional license information (if applicable), and relevant background.
5. Your credentials will be verified in advance, allowing for rapid deployment when needed.

Once registered, your information is securely stored and only accessible to authorized emergency officials. If a disaster occurs and your skills are needed, you will be contacted with deployment details and can choose whether to participate.

How DHV Has Helped

During the year of 2020, hundreds of medically licensed individuals were recruited, registered, and deployed to support Public Health vaccination clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to send an email to either dennis.burke@ncoinc.org or banderson@ncoinc.org