Bulgarian Red Cross Youth

Youth Emergency Teams

In 1998 .. the BRCY launched a project, the aim of which was to set up Youth Emergency Teams (YET) in Bulgaria. The YET are not involved in direct rescue operations during disasters, but they support the actions of the professional teams (Mountain Rescue Services, Volunteer Disaster Response Teams ) in . the so called. green zone of the disaster , i.e. beyond its periphery. Currently, there are sixteen trained YET, located in the following regional cities: Blagoevgrad, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Kyustendil, Montana, Pazardjik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Sofia, Targovishte and Shumen.

Every YET is managed by a Commander (captain) and a Deputy Commander. Every YET consists of two sub-team: main team (5-10 души), which includes well trained volunteers, at the age of 18 and above, and preparatory team (7-10 души), composed of volunteers, who have not completed 18peopler are new arrivals in YET. The participation of the preparatory team requires a declaration of consent by a parent.

The Youth Emergency Teams work in three directions: before the disaster, at the time of the disaster and after the disaster . Before a disaster the YET undertake activities to prepare the population for disaster reaction , and response , through lectures, demonstrations and simulations in schools, companies, institutions and others., as well as through dissemination of information materials, etc.. In the case of a disaster the YET are involved in the relief and shelter efforts , they distribute food, hot drinks and water for the people affected by the disaster and the professional teams ; in collecting a data about the affected ; in rendering first aid and physiological support; in helping to set uptemporary shelters for the affected and other related activities. After the disaster the efforts of the YET are mainly focused on assisting in community recovery ѝ All activities in the „quiet periods“ (without disaster) are guided by the commander of the YET, in coordination with the Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Council of the BRC, from whom they can receive support and guidance for their better training and preparation .

In order to fulfill their tasks, the YET undergo a training about the structure and principles of the International RC/RC Movement; First aid (FA); first psychological aid (FPA) and disaster management (knowledge of types of disasters; operational plan of the BRC for reaction in case of disasters, accidents and catastrophes; actions during a disaster; teamwork; roles and tasks of the YET).