Emergency response plans and capabilities with Global Brigades in Greece
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 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 Greece Brigades is as follows:
The on-site Global Brigades Coordinator and Program Associate have set responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
The Coordinator is responsible for:
- Organizing for the patient to be seen by an on-site doctor as available.
- Removing other volunteers from danger.
- Contacting the Program Associate, law enforcement officers, and Global Brigades offices as appropriate.
- Calling a recognized Global Brigades medical doctor in case their presence is required at the clinic during hospitalization.
- Ensuring volunteers are with at least one local staff member and one non-native staff member at all times during a medical emergency.
- Euroclinic (Athens) +30 210-64-16-6600
- Hygeia Hospital (Athens) +30-210686-7000
- Regional General Hospital Evangelismos (Athens) +30-210-720-1000
The Program Associate on each Brigade is responsible for:
- Accompanying the volunteer to the clinic if 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.
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
- 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, on-site staff will call the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Athens for recommendations or assistance and continue coordination throughout the emergency event:
The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece is located at:
91 Vasilisis Sophias Ave10160 Athens, Greece
Phone: 0030 210 721 2951
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 or political unrest occurs, all Global Brigades staff and volunteers will rendezvous at the lodging facility.
All transportation and relocation costs related to the emergency event will be covered by Global Brigades Greece. 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.