FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Volunteers are the backbone of our entire organization. Without them, our day to day operations team couldn't do the work they need to provide the greatest good for the largest number of people.
Volunteers do just about everything in our organization from office tasks like data entry, grant writing, and graphic design to field operations like assisting first responders, providing transportation to medical personnel, and aiding in evacuation procedures.
The level of service you could provide is completely up to you and your comfortability.
Your donations go to a wide variety of things with a majority of your donation going to supplying training and equipment to our volunteer network.
Typical equipment that donations help fund:
- Personal Protective Equipment - This is the equipment that our volunteers wear. Examples include helmets, reflective vests, n95 masks, gloves, knee pads, etc.
- Communications Equipment - This equipment is used during training and deployments to ensure constant communication during times where cell phones and other devices may not function. Examples of this equipment are personal locator beacons, satellite phones, FRS/GMRS Radios (sometimes referred to as 2-way or walkie talkies), Amateur Radio Devices (sometimes referred to as Ham Radios) base stations, vehicle mounted, and hand held radios.
Typical Training events that donations help fund:
- Vehicle Mounted Winch Recovery Training
- 4WD and Adverse Terrain Driving Training
- Inclement Weather Driving Training
- Wilderness Survival Training
- Amateur Radio Licensing
There are various types of training which you are able to attend and while we feel that all of these trainings will help make you a more well rounded and prepared citizen, they are not required to get started as a volunteer.
To become a volunteer you just need to pass a background check.
To be on a deployable team for local emergency response incidents, you'll need to have at least one of the following training:
- CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- Valid Amateur Radio License (Technician class or higher)
- Valid Driver's License
Each deployable team has a minimum requirement of duplicity, meaning a minimum of 2 persons carrying each of the above training certifications. The reason for this requirement is to allow for each team to have a qualified battle buddy in the event that one person is injured, another qualified person is able to jump in and fulfill the need.