Disaster Service Worker

Disaster Service Worker Program for Public Employees

As a County employee, your day-to-day roles and responsibilities directly impact the lives of people who live, work, and play in the County of Sonoma. During a declared emergency or disaster, the County may ask you to do work outside the normal scope of your duties as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW).

All public employees in the State of California are considered Disaster Service Workers. As a DSW you will never be asked to perform any duty or function you do not know how to perform or have not received adequate training to complete. While the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) facilitates the DSW program, it is a program that spans all County departments.

Disaster Service Worker Resources

About the DSW Program

The State of California Disaster Service Worker (DSW) Program includes all public employees impressed into service by a person having authority to command the aid of citizens in the execution of his or her duties during a state of war, a state of emergency, or a local emergency.

County DSW Preparedness

The term "disaster service worker" includes all public employees and all volunteers in any disaster council or emergency organization accredited by the California Emergency Council. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, city and county, state agency or public district, excluding aliens legally employed.

DSW Training

The required training for the Disaster Service Worker Program can be found on the Human Resources Training Portal Sonoma Higher Ed.

DSW Whole Community

As a Disaster Service Worker, you will be providing assistance to people in need and may encounter various individuals, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

DSW FAQs

As a County employee, you may be called upon to work as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) in the event of an emergency. The frequently asked questions may help you further understand your role as a DSW including helping to understand your role and obligations as a disaster service worker and what to do in an emergency.

DSW Useful Links

Useful links for Disaster Service Workers