Memorandum of Understanding
If you’re not yet familiar with the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in a nutshell it’s a contract within two or more parties. MOU is a document that is intended to communicate with all parties involved in requisites that need to be honored. Once an MOU is signed all parties are going to be held up to the standards they just consented to. A scenario of when an MOU is utilized is during a commercial partnership to establish mutual goals and expectations (Feelium E-contracts. n.d). It sets out the rights and obligations of each party, which they incorporate into a formal contract (Feelium E-contracts. n.d). MOU is just another method of how businesses are transparent with their employees to achieve their organizational mission and values.
Example
A good example of the functionality of MOU is the agreement within the American Red Cross and the City of Mercer Island. The reason I have selected this example is that it demonstrated to the reader a clear comprehension of some of the requisites that would be listed in an MOU. As we all may know the American Red Cross (ARC) is a humanitarian organization that assists in emergency assistance. ARC set the expectation to the City of Mercer Island. All Disaster Relief Supplies provided by ARC are not to be touched unless there had been a declared disaster. If procedures are followed the ARC will be responsible for replenishing the supplies in intent to re-establish site integrity (2007, May 2). If at any point the requisites are not abided by the City of Mercer and supplies are used under no declaration of disaster, they will be held accountable for replenishing the supplies (2007, May 2).
Example II
Another example of MOU would be when you’re newly hired for a job, you’re required to sign certain documents of the company’s regulation. Also, when registering to volunteer some documents must be signed that you agree upon working for a certain organization without pay. Some of the requisites would entail of, the employee agrees they will at all times faithfully, industriously, and to the best of their skill, ability, experience, and talents, perform all of the duties required of their position. Another example would be, volunteers are responsible for their medical expenses for any injuries incurred while performing volunteer services. An MOU is something that should be carefully read and comprehended before signing because consequences will later arrive.
Reciprocal Emergency Response
When using the MOU within ARC & the City of Mercer Island the amount of Disaster Relief Supplies investing can range around thousands or millions. For instance, in 2010 when Haiti was hit by a major earthquake ARC spent 148.5 million in providing food, water, medical care, emergency shelter, cash grants, and other essentials to the victims (American Red Cross. n.d). This much investment should at no point be taken advantage of or jeopardized. The funds invested are for the City of Mercer’s best interests. If at any point there is a man-made or natural disaster to occur, every and all supplies are essential in the recovery process. Having a signed agreement by all parties involved will minimize any form of misconduct and conserve the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue Task Forces (SRTF) assist in imminently responding to search and rescue as well as delivering the necessary resources to provide specialized life-saving assistance. Some of the SRTF functionalities entail structural collapse search and rescue, maritime; coastal; waterborne search and rescue and land search and rescue (Homeland Security, 2019, p. 40). When victims are located SRTF offers initial health and medical needs assessments (Homeland Security, 2019, p. 21). SRTF preferred line of communication during a disaster scenario would be the Department of Homeland Security as well as FEMA (Homeland Security, 2019, p. 40).
References
- American Red Cross. (n.d). Haiti Earthquake: Your Donations at Work. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/international-services/haiti-assistance-program/donations-at-work.html
- Feelium E-contracts. (n.d). Memorandum of Understanding. Retrieved from https://www.feeliumecontract.com/legal-doc-inner/memorandum-of-understanding/5e00a85339a8a650deb6e121
- Homeland Security. (2019). National Response Framework. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1559136348938-063ec40e34931923814dd50df638b448/NationalResponseFrameworkFourthEdition.pdf
- MOU between the City of Mercer Island and the American Red Cross Chapter serving King and Kitsap Countries concerning the placement, maintenance, and care of disaster relief supplies. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.mercergov.org/files/Am%20Red%20Cross%20-%20Disaster%20Relief%20Supplies.pdf
