Volunteer
Programs
Clark
Regional Emergency Services Agency appreciates the spirit
of community service demonstrated by each of our volunteers.
In addition to the volunteers that serve within our administrative
offices, CRESA also utilizes search and rescue, amateur
radio, and other volunteers.
Search
and rescue
When
a search and rescue call comes into the 911 center, the
Sheriff's Office may request activation of search and
rescue (SAR) resources. The CRESA Duty Officer notifies
the appropriate teams depending on the type of call. There
are ground searchers, air-scenting and tracking/trailing
dog teams, dive teams and Civil Air Patrol. SAR team members
are trained to locate missing persons and to search for
evidence in criminal investigations. Dive teams are also
called out on possible drowning or other underwater emergency
calls.
SAR
volunteers must belong to a recognized SAR team. Each
team is responsible for the training and qualifications
of its members and is under the direction of the Clark
County Sheriff's Office. SAR teams gather monthly in the
Search and Rescue Council to review any incidents and
to share information on training exercises.
Amateur
radio
During
a disaster, normal communications may be interrupted or
overloaded. The ARES/RACES amateur radio volunteers step
up to bridge the communication gap whenever their services
are requested. They may be stationed at critical locations,
such as a hospital, fire station, or mass care shelter.
They relay important information between disaster response
agencies or the Emergency Operations Center.
Amateur
radio volunteers are also organized into teams. The teams
can be dispatched to cover a predetermined assignment
on short notice. Volunteers are required to pass an FCC
test in order to obtain an amateur radio license. Active
members meet monthly to share technical tips and discuss
drills and exercises. Our local amateur radio group can
be found on the web at http://www.ccares.org
.
Citizen
Emergency Response Teams
CRESA
does not directly deploy Citizen Emergency Response Teams.
CERT members typically self-activate in a disaster and
report directly to their local CERT coordinators. For
more information on the CERT program, please visit their
home page at http://www.cresa911.org/cert/index.html
Citizen
Corps
The
Citizen Corps is a group of volunteer organizations or
programs that are recognized by the federal government
as having a mission related to emergency preparedness,
crime prevention, or safety. The goal of Citizen Corps
is to allow citizens to serve in a capacity that helps
their community to become safer, stronger, and better
prepared. The Clark County Citizen Corps Council meets
monthly to share information and coordinate activities
of different programs. For more information on the Clark
County Citizen Corps, please visit their home page at
http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/citizencorps
Clark
Regional Emergency Operations Center
Some
volunteers may be specially assigned to the Clark Regional
EOC. Find out more,
and view a new video on this exciting opportunity.
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