3 Easy Steps to signing up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The U.S. State Department has created as part of their travel safe and healthy website a program called Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP.
I would have called it the Smart Traveler Emergency Program. Because the purpose of the program is to assist U.S. Citizens caught in a disaster or emergency situation abroad. It is a bit tricky to register so I will share with you my experience.

This program is for short term international travel or for U.S. Citizens taking up residence in a foreign country, which is pretty cool.

This is the registration link;



Keep these number handy when traveling;

CONTACT OVERSEAS CITIZENS SERVICES:
From within the U.S. 1-888-407-4747
From outside the U.S. 1-202-501-4444

To register for the STEP program, click on the link above.
The trick is to register about a week at the most two weeks before your departure date.
Information of your travel will then stay fresh in the mind of the STEP computer program. I make that suggestion because I found it easier to organize my list of pre- travel reminders that way.

To give feedback on this program contact- CAIBRS@state.gov. Don't contact me about this, there is not really much I can do, except voice my opinion by blogging.

Create an account and password, the usual stuff.

Site has a template for sending travel groups information in to the STEP program.
Next register your travel information. Here is a list of information you will need;

Itinerary, including:
Destination country
Arrival dates
Departure dates
purpose of travel
Personal Contact information.
Closest US Embassy to destination country.

Link to a list of U.S. Embassies World Wide.


Then register your personal information

What I did not see on the registration is an " Emergency contact" number or next of Kin or anything like that. So keep your cell phones charged up when traveling. I am unsettled by lack of a loved ones emergency contact information.

Healthy and safe travels,

Nurse G

3 steps to a Business Travel Emergency Plan

A graph recently published in Business Travel News shows a gap in travel management and employees emergency communication. For more information on the BTN graph, see http://nurseguardian.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/business-traveler-emergency/ The first article we wrote focused on employee emergencies in the workplace. We are reminding Business travelers to have their own emergency plan. Business Travel - make this part of your pre travel planning. Another article will cover the benefits of Travel Insurance, this article covers thee quick planning steps to protect you and your family. Leave a copy of everything you carry in your wallet with your emergency contact person. Everything. Insurance card included. No, you don't have to photocopy your money. Leave a copy of your passport, your flight information and your hotel contact information and a phone contact of a coworker you are traveling with. Make a copy of your medical prescriptions, including prescription # and name of prescribing physician. If medications get lost in your checked bag or something happens to them, you have a back up plan. note: before taking certain medications into overseas countries, check with the American Embassy about that countries medication laws. Some class C or controlled substances may or may not be allowed. Carry copy of your immunizations and your medical record with you when traveling. Ok, Maybe that is 4. Thanks for reading our blog. Safe travels, Nurse Guardian Good for you for Planning Smart!