Emergency response plans and capabilities with Global Brigades in Panama
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 Panama 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:
- Organizing for the patient to be seen by the on-site paramedic.
- 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.
- Hospital Nacional (Panama City): +507-207-8110
- Hospital de Chepo (East Panama): +507-296-7211
- Centro de Salud de Metetí (Darien): +507-299-6182/299-6151
- Hospital Dr. Rafael Esteves (Cocle): +507-908-9200
- Hospital Chicho Fabregas (Veraguas): +507-958-2300
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
- 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. Department State Citizens’ Emergency Center at 202-647-5225 for suggestions or assistance and continue coordination throughout the emergency event.
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 unrest occurs outside of Panama City, all Global Brigades staff and volunteers will rendezvous at the headquarters in Panama City at the following address:
Global Brigades Panama
Edificio Golden Point Office 23-01
Tumba Muerto Via Ricardo J. Alfaro, Los Angeles de Betania
Panama, Panama
If a disaster event or unrest occurs in Panama City, all volunteers and guests will rendezvous in the city of Penonomé of Coclé Province at the following address:
La Iguana Eco Resort
Carretera Panamerica, Via Churuquita Grande, Cocle
Phone: +507 6798-8650 or +507 6138-8074
All transportation and relocation costs related to the emergency event will be covered by Global Brigades Panama. 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.