Emergency Response Plans and Capabilities With Global Brigades in Honduras
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 Honduras Brigades is as follows:
The on-site Global Brigades Coordinator, health professional, and Program Associate have set responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
The Coordinator is responsible for:
- Patients being seen by the doctor assigned to the Brigade.
- 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 or hospitals in the proximity of the Brigade site and their contact information:
- Clínica Santa Rosa de Lima: +504-2754-6745
- Hospital y Clínicas Viera (Trauma Center of Choice): +504-2237-7136
- Honduras Medical Center (Hospitalization Center of Choice): +504-2236-7700
- Rina Gomez at Honduras Medical Center: +504-2280-1579)
If medical facilities are unavailable to transport the volunteers, the Coordinator will call a private emergency transportation company or reach out to emergency services at the following:
- Red Cross: 195
- Emergency Services: 911
- Ambulance Services: 195
- Fire Department: 198
The doctor or paramedic on each Brigade 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 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
Evacuation Plan for all Global Brigades Staff and Volunteers
If a disaster event occurs in the south, central, or eastern region of the country, all Global Brigades staff and volunteers will rendezvous at the headquarters in Tegucigalpa at the following address:
Global Brigades Honduras
Ofibodegas Paseo Alto, Boulevard Los Proceres, Local #2
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Phone: +504 2221-0139 or +504 2221-0560
All transportation and relocation costs related to the emergency event will be covered by Global Brigades Honduras. 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.