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Disaster Response

Whenever a disaster has or will impact Miami-Dade County there are a multitude of jobs that need to be accomplished. Relying solely on volunteers from the community to accomplish these tasks is not prudent. To address this problem the Disaster Assistance Employee (DAE) program was created.

Miami-Dade County Ordinance Chapter 8B - Sections 11 and 12

This Miami-Dade County Ordinance authorizes the recruitment, training and use of County employees as DAE personnel to assist in disaster response efforts in Miami-Dade County.

Penalties: It is unlawful for anyone to fail or refuse to obey any such order issued by the Mayor, the Board, the Manager, or the Director or their designee pursuant to this chapter. Anyone convicted of a violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred and eighty (180) days, or both. (Ord. No. 99-51;2, 5-25-99)

To update your contact information in Bluebook, the database utilized to assign DAE staff, please visit Employee Portal.

Concept of Operations

The DAE program requires the cooperation and active participation of all County departments and employees for successful implementation. Because DAE activities cross departmental lines, a cooperative approach is used in the development and implementation of the DAE program. During activations, all DAE disaster work assignments will fall under the coordination and control of the Miami-Dade County EOC. The decision to implement and cease programs will be decided based upon the needs of the community and upon the decision of the Incident Commander (County Mayor, or designee).

Welcome to the DAE Online Training. The DAE Online Training is an independent effort; therefore, it is inappropriate to share the questions and answers with anyone else.

Each course and quiz can be completed in 30 – 45 minutes except the Evacuation Center training, which is a 90-minute training.

When viewing the online course do not stop or interrupt the process. It will be more time-consuming to restart.

To take the DAE Course and Quiz, read all four steps below before starting the course:
1. Click on the link below to begin the course video.
2. On the last page of the course video, click on the quiz link to be directed to the PeopleSoft log-in.
3. Log-in to PeopleSoft.
4. Select the course to begin the quiz.
Training is an essential part of the DAE program. It occurs during working hours usually between the months of April and July.

Emergency Management related courses will be offered throughout the year to further the understanding of emergency management.

In some cases, employees may be required to undertake Incident Command System (ICS), as well as National Incident Management System training to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Additionally, DAEs may be requested to participate in drills and exercises conducted by the Miami-Dade Emergency Management (MDEM).

Recommended ICS courses for all DAE personnel from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Institute:
- IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
If this is your first time accessing PeopleSoft, your user ID is the combination of the letter "e" and your employee ID (which can be found on your pay stub under EMP. ID#, on your County-issued badge, or ID card, or through your departmental personnel representative). You do not have to include the leading zeros from your employee ID. Your User ID is not e00099999 but simply e99999. Your initial password will be Pass+ the last 4 digits of your social security number. The "P" in Pass must be capitalized. (example: Pass1234).
- Each employee will be given unlimited opportunities to respond to 10 randomly selected questions.
- If an employee is unsuccessful in acquiring the passing grade of 70 percent, he or she will be given additional opportunities to attempt another 10 randomly selected questions.
- Each employee will be given three hours (logged in) to complete the online quiz.
- If an employee interrupts, logs-off, or signs-off while taking the quiz, he or she must sign in again and continue responding.
- If the quiz is not completed within seven days, the quiz will be deleted and a new quiz will be generated.
- Each employee will automatically receive a Pass or Fail result upon completing the quiz.
- At this point you will have the opportunity to print your certificate of completion or review the quiz results.
NOTE: If you are having a PeopleSoft login issue, call 305-596-HELP.

Course Contact Information

Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management
Phone: 305-468-5400
Email: DAEMail@miamidade.gov
If you have been designated a DAE role, here are the things you need to do:

A. Verify your BlueBook listing
1. Log in to BlueBook and ensure all of your contact information is correct.
2. Select a Disaster Role of primary interest, and
3. Fill out the rest of the form to include critical skill and certification data.
Note: Every attempt will be made to place employees in their expressed areas of interest, as selected in the BlueBook application; however, they may be placed in the area of greatest need. Please note that some departments have responsibility for staffing certain Disaster Roles and; therefore, may directly assign their employees to that role. The default assignment for all DAE personnel is "Regional Staging Areas".

B. Prepare for Hurricane Season

Personal preparedness is the responsibility of all members of the community, especially for DAE personnel. This program's ability to support disaster response and recovery operations will hinge on a DAE's responsibility to effectively address their personal and family needs.

As essential members of the Miami-Dade County's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), it is important for DAE personnel to take a proactive approach in ensuring they are prepared for disasters.

Preparedness starts with the following three simple principles: Make a Plan, Get a Kit and Be Informed.

The following sites are available to assist with learning more about disaster preparedness:
- Prepare a family emergency plan
- Ready South Florida
C. Familiarize yourself with your assigned Disaster Role
D. Remember the DAE Hotline phone number

Following a storm or another disaster related event, an effort should be made by all DAE personnel to contact their supervisor/manager, or designee to report their personal situation and receive advisories or instructions. If contact with their supervisor or manager is not possible, every effort shall be made to call the DAE Hotline: 305-499-8777 to report and receive instructions.