Safety and Security
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      1. Brigade Support
      2. Safety and Security

      Safety and Security in Belize

      Emergency response plans and capabilities with Global Brigades in Belize

      All volunteers are automatically enrolled in Global Brigades’ travel insurance policy, provided by Core Travel Insurance. 

      • Global Brigades Policy Number: GPT-0553718
      • Global Medical Brigades Policy Number: GPT-0553113

      If you have any questions about which policy number applies to your Brigade, please contact your Program Associate. 

      Global Brigades has established emergency procedures around Core Travel’s insurance policy underwritten by Zurich, an international insurance group. Insurance covers the volunteer for the treatment of medical or emergency needs for the duration of their Brigade.

      Additional safety and security information for Belize Brigades is as follows:

      The on-site Global Brigades Coordinator, Health Professional, and Program Associate, and In-Country Global Brigades Headquarters Staff all have set responsibilities in the event of an emergency:

      The Coordinator is responsible for:

      • Organizing for the patient to be seen by the on-site Health Professional that is assigned to the Brigade or Compound.
      • Removing other volunteers from danger.
      • Contacting the Program Associate, law enforcement officers, and Global Brigades offices as appropriate.
      • Ensuring volunteers are with at least one local staff member and one non-native staff member at all times during a medical emergency. 
      If in a remote area without cellular access, the volunteer will be transported to the nearest clinic or hospital. Below is a list of local clinics and hospitals in the proximity of the Brigade site and their contact information:
        • St. Gabriel Medical Center LDT, San Ignacio Cayo: +501-824-25-66 stgabrielcenter@gmail.com
        • ST LUKE Hospital, Mountain View Blvd Belmopán City Belize +501-822-23-79
          stlukehospitalbze@gmail.com  
        • Southern Emergency System, Stann Creek District, + 501-614-4357 or + 501-666-2232 SESBelize@gmail.com 
        • Southern Regional Hospital, Dangriga,   +501-522-3832 or +501-522-3836
      • If there are not any medical facilities to transport the volunteers to, the Coordinator will call a private emergency transportation company. Below is a list of the names and telephone numbers of possible emergency private transportation companies in Belize:
        • Red Cross: +(501)-227-3319, +501-227-3617, +501-223-4276
        • San Ignacio Police Station: +501-804-4208 
        • San Ignacio Fire Department: +501-804-4208 
        • Emergency Services: 911
        • Belmopan fire department is 990 or 911 for emergencies

      The Health Professional is responsible for:

      • Assessing the initial situation and communicating with the Global Brigades On-Call Health Program Manager for treatment recommendations.
      • Coordinating transport to the nearest clinic if needed.
      • Creating an incident report of the situation for follow-up by Global Brigades.

      The Program Associate is responsible for:

      • Accompanying the volunteer to the clinic, if the Associate is on-site.
      • Contacting the volunteer's international travel insurance provider to coordinate emergency medical transportation if needed. 

      The Program Associate will also call Zurich Travel Assist at +1-800-263-0261 if in the U.S. or +1-416-977-0277 if outside the U.S. to provide:

        • The volunteer’s name.
        • The volunteer’s policy identification number.
        • Coordinates of the distress location.
        • A phone number where they can be reached.

      The In-Country Global Brigades Headquarters Staff is responsible for:

      • Contacting the Global Brigades Executive Director of that country.
      • Transcribing a call log of all calls and activities pertaining to the incident.
      • Assisting in determining proximity to the nearest hospital or clinic.
      • Verifying calls have been placed or placing calls for the on-site Program Coordinator to emergency response services and the U.S. Embassy if the situation warrants it.

      In-country staff will also obtain the following information from the on-site Coordinator:

      • Name of Brigade Coordinator and volunteer at risk.
      • Identity of any other individual(s) involved.
      • Brief description of accident, illness, or emergency.
      • Complete address of the incident.
      • Multiple cell phone numbers where the at-risk volunteer can be reached.
      If the emergency is the result of a natural disaster, an act of terrorism, or an act of war, headquarters staff will ask for detailed answers to all of the following as applicable:
      • What was the terrorist target of unrest, if the event was political?
      • What is the intensity of the emergency or political unrest?
      • Are there military or emergency personnel already on-site?
      • What is the advice of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate?
      • Are food, water, and medical supplies available?
      • Are our volunteers and staff able to travel?
      • Is the continuation of the Brigade feasible?

      In-country staff will then instruct the Brigade Coordinator to call after the emergency response team or law enforcement has arrived and contact Global Brigades CEO, Shital Vora.

      In the event of an emergency other than illness or an isolated accident that involves a U.S. citizen, an on-site coordinator should call the U.S. Embassy to the American Citizens Services Offices.

        • During regular business hours, U.S. Citizens with emergencies may appear for assistance in-person at the Embassy Consular Section or may call +501-822-4011. After normal business hours, please call +501-822-4260 for suggestions or assistance. Coordination should be continued throughout an emergency.
      Once important facts have been collected, Global Brigades will assemble a task force with the in-country entity to:
      • Contact family members of the volunteers involved in the incident.
      • Address immediate actions necessary to maintain the security and health of volunteers and Global Brigade staff.
      • Identify appropriate steps to take abroad such as addressing student reactions, creating a written action plan, and sending family members to the Program site.
      • Implement the evacuation plan outlined below if necessary.
      • Prepare a list of persons to be alerted such as parents or other family members,
      • Assess the impact of the event once it has ended and document all actions taken in the written report.

      Evacuation Plan for All Global Brigades Staff and Volunteers

      If a disaster event occurs in the country, all Global Brigades staff and volunteers will rendezvous at the headquarters in Belize at the following address:

      Mile 68 Western Highway,

      San Ignacio, Cayo

      Belize, Belize

      All transportation and relocation costs related to the emergency event will be covered by Global Brigades Belize. In the event of disaster and emergencies, all Global Brigades staff will have their ID, proof of medical insurance, and contingency funds with them at all times to assist volunteers.