There are many great organizations and groups you can join that will allow you to help in your community during disasters. Knowing you are able to help others is empowering and highly rewarding.
Pre-requisites
In addition to submitting the volunteer application packet, you will need to include a copy of your valid driver's license, a headshot photo suitable for an ID badge, your Technical Specialty License*, and certificates of completion of the following courses.**
Course requirements are necessary to become a vetted volunteer that can be deployed locally, county-to-county, or nationwide.
- IS-100.b Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
- IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
Of the "Disaster Awareness" Courses below, you must only complete one:
- IC-244.b Developing and Managing Volunteers
- IS-288.a The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
- IS-909 Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone
* Examples of Technical Specialty Licenses: FCC radio license (if applying for RACES), CERT Basic Certificate & CERT Nomination Form (if applying for CERT), Mass Care Feeding and Shelter Certificates from American Red Cross/Riverside County Public Health's Shelter Training Course (if applying for Mass Care Specialist for Shelter Operations), FAST Certificate (if applying for FAST).
** Each course is hyperlinked to the FEMA Independent Study website, where you can take the course at your leisure.
Please complete the application and submit to [email protected] or you can print it and mail it to:
County of Riverside Emergency Management Department
ATTN: Volunteer Program
450 East Alessandro Blvd.
Riverside, CA 92508
If you would like assistance completing a volunteer application, please contact the Emergency Management Department's Volunteer Program team at: (951) 358-7100.
CERT - Community Emergency Response Team
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
The Riverside County Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC)
The Riverside County Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) assists emergency managers by connecting resources and building relationships within public and private sectors. Partnership is open to all Riverside County businesses. A BEOC Partner Agreement must be completed.
EMD Volunteer Program
EMD's Volunteer Program seeks to support and celebrate the resiliency of our interdependent communities where volunteering is respected, enhances the life of the volunteer, and advances the common good.
Medical Reserve Corp
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a network of volunteers who strengthen public health, improve emergency response and build community resiliency. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds.
For more information or to apply, call (951) 358-7100 or email [email protected].
Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program
Early defibrillation has been proven to save lives and improve outcomes from cardiac arrest. Fill out the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program form to establish a PAD program in your workplace or other public area.
RACES - Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - RACES are Licensed Radio Amateurs that volunteer to serve their respective jurisdictions pursuant to guidelines and mandates established by local emergency management officials. RACES are available to assist any agency to provide emergency communications support as requested by the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department. Riverside County RACES is divided into 13 separate geographical districts with additional special liaisons to selected agencies.
Listos
Listos is a culturally appropriate Spanish language curriculum that uses the strengths and bonds within the Latino community to educate and prepare its members for emergencies or disasters.
Riverside County VOAD
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) fosters efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort through cooperation in the four phases of emergency management: Preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
