Specialty Teams

Delaware Behavioral and Emotional Support Team (DE BEST)

DE BEST is a team of volunteers located at the University of Delaware that is trained to assist victims and first responders during and immediately after emergencies and disasters with behavior and emotional support. Volunteers also assist with shelter counseling, community crisis response, distribution of outreach materials, and referrals within the community (to name a few).

Find more information on the DE BEST website.

Functional Assessment Service Team (FAST)

The FAST Team is a team of volunteers who conduct functional assessments and support of individuals with disabilities and those with access and functional needs (AFN) within community shelters, heating/cooling centers, respite centers, radiation recovery centers, community recovery centers, and family assistance centers. The FAST Team is active all year-round, not just during disasters or emergencies!

Delaware Animal Rescue (DAR)

DAR is a program within the Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare that works to prepare the community for emergencies and disasters where domestic animals and their caretakers may be affected. DAR’s mission is to develop and implement preparedness, response, and recovery plans necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of domestic animals, and the people who own or have responsibility for animals during emergencies and disasters.

Find more information on Delaware Animal Rescue’s website.

Interpreter Corps Team

Interpreter Corps is a team of volunteers that provide interpreting services for RespondDE operations. Volunteers in this team are required to complete a 40-hour Interpreting Training Course.

Naloxone Education Team

Naloxone: Community Training and Distribution Assistance Program

Naloxone is a drug used to reverse opioid overdose. RespondDE volunteers attend trainings so that they can train community members how to identify possible opioid overdose and how to use Naloxone effectively. RespondDE volunteers assist Delaware Public Health with dispensing Naloxone to community members, as well as providing community on-the-spot training.

Stop the Bleed Trainers Team

“Stop the Bleed” is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.” – Department of Homeland Security. Contact RespondDE to attend or host a training in your community. Click here for a Quick Guide for how to “Stop the Bleed”.

RespondDE Mission Statement

To serve the state of Delaware by establishing, implementing, and sustaining Delaware’s reserve units of medical and non-medical volunteers to strengthen the public health infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness response, and increase community resilience in Delaware.