1. Open the website at https://disasterhelp.gov
2. Register for a DisasterHelp.gov account by clicking on the "Register Now" link in the upper right corner site. If you already have a DisasterHelp.gov account, please skip to step #6.
3. In the window that appears, fill in the application fields. Only first name, last name, and e-mail address are required for registration. All other fields are optional. Once you have completed the application, click the arrow in the bottom right to move on.
4. Next you will be prompted to select your username from a list of options. Click on the username you would like and click the array in the bottom right to move on.
5. You will receive a confirmation message that you have been registered. Your password will be sent to the e-mail address that you provided during registration.
6. Once you receive your password via e-mail from DisasterHelp.gov, return to https://disasterhelp.gov and log into the site using your username and password.
7. Certain e-mail addresses are accepted as automatic verification of your status as a first responder. For example, if your e-mail address ends with a ".gov" such as "fema.gov" or "usda.gov," you will be automatically verified as a responder and be granted access to the collaborative tools for responders.
If you have an e-mail that is recognized as a responder e-mail address automatically, then you will not have to complete the application for verification. If your account is automatically verified, you will see a "Collaborate" tab once you login. If you see this "Collaborate" tab, you may skip to step #12.
8. To apply for verification, click on the "Become A Verified User" link in the left sidebar under "My Account."
9. In the window that appears, a brief explanation of the application for verification process as well as the benefits are given. The text is presented below. After reading the text in the window, click on the "Apply for Verification" button is the top right corner of the screen to proceed to the application.
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What is a Verified User? DisasterHelp.gov verified users have access to collaborative tools for collaboration among members of the Emergency Management community. The collaborative tools available for verified users include instant messaging and chat, secure document sharing, and discussion threads. Who qualifies to be a Verified User? You must be an active member of the Emergency Services or Management community in order to qualify for access to the DisasterHelp.gov collaborative tools. This means that you must be directly involved in the planning for, responding to, recovering from or mitigation of emergency incidents in your state, region or community. Examples of eligible users include emergency managers, firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, infrastructure agencies, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies involved in incident response and management and non-government organizations directly involved in emergency response, e.g. American Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Why should I become a verified user? As a verified user, you may use your personal page to view your calendars and appointments. You have the option of creating personal calendars and sharing each calendar among the desired members of the DisasterHelp.gov community. Then view all of your various appointments across all of your calendars on your "My Calendar" channel. The DisasterHelp Portal also contains the "Enterprise Collaboration Center," (ECC) a powerful document management system that allows you to upload and download documents easily and lets you decide who has access to those documents. Have questions that you want to ask other members of the DisasterHelp community? Use the discussion threads functionality. Discussion Threads allow you to have open discussions based on our page topics or private discussions on your documents in the ECC. For a quick and easy way to communicate with other members of the DisasterHelp community, check out the DisasterHelp Instant Messenger (IM). A link for DisasterHelp IM is located on the left menubar after you login or you may choose to have IM launch automatically when you login. |
10. Complete the application for verification. All fields are mandatory, including a reference. The reference will be used to verify your application information. When you have completed the application, click on the arrow in the bottom right to submit the application.
11. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation screen. Your application will be processed by members of the DisasterHelp Help Desk and will include contacting your point of reference. The time to process an application is generally two days or less. However, this wait time may vary depending on the number of applications received and the availability of your reference. If you have a question about your application, you should contact the DisasterHelp Help Desk at (800) 451-2647. You will be contacted via e-mail when a decision has been made regarding your application.
12. After becoming a verified user, return to https://disasterhelp.gov and log into the site.
13. To apply for a subscription to USFA-CIP INFOGRAMs, click on the "My DHelp Profile" link in the left sidebar under "My Account."
14. In the 'Personal Profile' window that appears, the USFA-CIP INFOGRAMs option will be at the bottom under 'Notification Types.'
15. Place a check in the box beside 'USFA-CIP INFOGRAMs' and then click on the 'Update Notification Preferences' button. You will receive a confirmation that your preference have been updated.
16. You will be taken to the USFA-CIP INFOGRAMs application. Complete the application and then click on the submit application button. You will be asked whether or not you would like to submit the application. To submit the application to the USFA, click the 'OK' button.
17. You should receive a confirmation message that your application has be received. After you submit your USFA-CIP application, you will receive information regarding your application. If your application is approved, then you will be subscribed to USFA-CIP INFOGRAM notifications and be granted access to view USFA-CIP INFOGRAMs.
