Volunteers Programs - Office of Emergency Services

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San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services (OES) strives to prevent, protect from, mitigate against, prepare for, respond to and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services’ Volunteer Programs support the heart of the community by utilizing volunteers to amplify the importance of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Our whole community approach ensures that every resident has a role to play and is empowered in safeguarding your neighborhoods and supporting recovery efforts.

This is an at-will Volunteer Program without monetary benefits. The Volunteer may be called upon to assist the county in providing normal or emergency services.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer opportunity that is overseen by the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services (OES). Each CERT team has an assigned Team Coordinator that assists in program oversight, providing training opportunities and ensuring integration into the training and preparedness of the community.

CERT educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. CERT volunteers also support the emergency management mission of whole community preparedness, public outreach, and preparation before, during, and after a disaster.

Emergency Communications Service (ECS)
The Emergency Communications Service (ECS) is the front-line communications, technical and logistical support arm for the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services (OES). ECS is tasked with the support and maintenance of critical incident communications in times of emergency. Divided into four geographic divisions throughout the County, ECS Personnel are specialists in communications that serve their community and who hold and use FCC Amateur Radio license privileges and equipment to augment existing emergency communications systems.

Please refer to the OES Volunteer Duties for more information.

CONDITIONS FOR VOLUNTEERING
Background Check: Incumbents will be required to pass a background check.

Physical Requirements: Volunteers will only undertake activities within their physical capabilities and training, avoiding risks that could cause injury to themselves or others.

Minimum Requirements

Volunteer Program Requirements - To be an eligible Volunteer for OES, the volunteer minimum requirements are as follows: Must be 18 years of age or older.Must have a valid California Driver’s License.Must complete a Volunteer Application.Must successfully pass a Department of Justice (DOJ)/FBI background and reference check.Must adhere to County policies (vehicles, uniforms, conduct).Must commit a minimum of five (5) hours per month to the Volunteer Program.Must register as a State of California Disaster Service Worker (DSW) through Cal OES. Must complete Training Certificates within the first 60 days of becoming a Volunteer for OES.HAM Amateur Radio License (ECS only)
VOLUNTEER COURSE REQUIREMENTS*

ONLINE TRAINING CERTIFICATES

CERT

CERT/ECS

CERT/ECS

CERT/ECS

CERT/ECS

CERT BASIC
CERTIFICATE

FEMA IS-100

FEMA IS-700

FEMA IS-800

CSTI - SEMS

G606

Other certificates: CPR-AED/First Aid

For additional course information, please see the Volunteer Course Requirements.

*The course requirements can be taken once approved to be an OES Volunteer. The CERT Basic Training is typically offered by the County OES CERT Coordinator.

Course Name/Number Description Link IS -100 Intro to ICS Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c&lang=en
IS -700 NIMS, an Introduction An overview of the National Incident Management System
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b&lang=en
IS - 800.D: National Response Framework, an Introduction An Introduction, is to provide guidance for the whole community
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.d&lang=en
SEMS G606, Introduction to SEMS Introduction to California’s system for managing responses to multi-agency and multi-jurisdiction emergencies https://csti-ca.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/course/1dbb4ced-0dab-4f44-83c2-e4673347dd0b
Basic CERT Class Twenty-hour basic CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training Certificate Classroom-based course or CSTI online hybrid course.

This position does not have benefits.

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