Volunteer in Emergency Management
North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) offers volunteer opportunities to support the citizens and communities of the North Shore in their times of greatest need.
Opportunities range from emergency planning and response support to public education and community outreach.
Commitments vary from self-paced project work to on-call rotations supporting response activities.
Your community depends on volunteers to help prepare for crisis and provide for the basic needs of those impacted by emergencies and disasters. Here’s how you can help.
JOIN US!
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CORE VOLUNTEER TEAMS |
AUXILIARY VOLUNTEERS |
AFFILIATED AGENCIES |
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Core volunteers meet and train regularly and support readiness and response activities for a range of emergency events |
Auxiliary volunteers join a roster to take occasional training and support core teams in large emergencies and disasters |
Affiliated agencies are organized groups that wish to support larger emergencies while retaining their agency structure |
Benefits of volunteering with NSEM:
- Positively impact the lives of others Make a difference in your community
- Network and meet new people Experience professional growth
- Build your resume
- Be part of a dynamic team
- Free training, exciting events and opportunities
- Have fun!
All volunteers must:
- Be at least 16 years of age (parental/guardian consent required for applicants under 18)
Core Volunteers must:
- Pass and maintain a Criminal Record Check (cost covered by NSEM)
- Interview with NSEM Staff and undergo a reference check
- Undergo a probationary period with NSEM and commit to regular engagement in training and/or team activities
- Complete a Volunteer Disclosure/Code of Conduct consent, Photo Release, and
- Attend an emergency preparedness workshop and demonstrate personal emergency preparedness
Core volunteers with response support or potential response support roles must:
- Complete Emergency Management BC registration forms
Volunteer placement in the different teams and programs is based on our organizational or project needs as well as your availability, skills, and interests. All volunteer teams require a probationary period of at least 6 months and some require the completion of member-in-training criteria before full team member status is attained
NSEM reserves the right to decline volunteer opportunities to specific teams or in general, to extend probationary periods and to dismiss candidates and volunteers based on conditions defined in the volunteer code of conduct which candidates sign on intake.
NSEM Core Volunteer Teams
Emergency Social Services (ESS) Team
- Participation in an on-call rotation to be called out to smaller emergency events to provide short-term basic needs assistance to displaced residents
- In larger emergencies, provide short-term basic needs assistance to displaced residents in an evacuee Reception Centre and other support facilities such as Group Lodging and Recovery Centres
Emergency Education Team (EET)
- Teach emergency preparedness workshops and presentations to the community
- Assist in the development and delivery of specialized public education presentation materials
- Attend public outreach events to promote emergency preparedness
Emergency Communications Team (ECT)
- Test and maintain radio and satellite equipment in a state of operational readiness
- Provide emergency communications for the North Shore municipalities, response support facilities, and the North Shore Emergency Operations Centre, should normal communications systems fail
- Possess or be prepared to acquire an Amateur Radio Licence or engage in communications support activities
General Services Unit (GSU)
- Participate in special emergency management projects such as plan development, exercise design, research or other projects under the direction of NSEM staff
- Join the GSU Bike Team, supporting exercises and emergencies by taking bikes where cars can’t easily go
- Join the Logistics Team supporting movement and set-up of resources in support of NSEM, during emergencies or in support of emergency activations
- Cross-train and provide occasional support to other NSEM teams, including participation at public outreach events and supporting large emergencies and disasters
Emergency Management Team (EMT) *
- As part of an on-call rotation, assist NSEM and the North Shore municipalities in response support coordination for all types and sizes of emergencies
- Support operations in the tri-municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), when activated
- Cross-train in Emergency Social Services and perform ESS and ESS support activities, as required
- Possess, or be prepared to acquire an Amateur Radio License, which can be obtained during the probation & training term and support the Emergency Communications Team (ECT) as required
- Occasionally assist with public outreach events
* EMT requires
- a high level of commitment and engagement in ongoing training
- at least one year as an engaged member of another team before a volunteer can apply to EMT (this may be waived based on candidate credentials)
If you have questions about volunteer opportunities or the recruitment process, please contact NSEM at 778.338.6300 or email us at [email protected]
North Shore Rescue (NSR)
Applying for North Shore Rescue is a different application process. Visit the North Shore Rescue website for more information
NSEM Auxiliary Volunteers
Join this group if you wish to help, but only in circumstances where manpower is strained or there are impacts to the community. By applying, you agree to:
- Enrolment to receive NSEM training opportunities by email
- Attendance in at least 2 half-day training opportunities per year, one in Emergency Social Services Registration & Referrals and another of choice (Damage Assessment, Distribution of Relief Supplies, Psycho-Social First Aid, ESS Group Lodging, Convergent Volunteer Intake, emergency exercises, etc)
- Enrolment onto a geographic roster based on zones and a willingness to respond to provide assistance in major emergencies or disasters that impact your community
Affiliated Volunteer Groups
Agencies, non-profit groups, faith-based organizations and other organized groups are encouraged to engage with NSEM to support the North Shore communities in times of crisis. These groups should:
- Be self-organized with a leadership structure and a willingness to be contacted and mobilize members in support of emergencies and disasters
- Be willing to adopt an emergency response role as arranged in coordination with NSEM staff or provide general emergency support services based on member training acquired
- Regularly participate in function-specific and/or other training opportunities and emergency exercises as organized by NSEM
If these requirements cannot be met, groups are encouraged to promote member engagement as NSEM Core or Auxiliary volunteers