North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) volunteers support the citizens and communities of the North Shore in their time 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. (Image credit: Morten Byskov)
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
- Receive free training and attend events
- Have fun!
NSEM Core Volunteer Teams
Emergency Social Services (ESS) Team – Currently not accepting applications
- In smaller emergencies, participate in an on-call rotation to be called out 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 to the community (presentations or workshops).
- Attend public outreach events to promote emergency preparedness.
- Assist in the development and delivery of specialized public education presentation material.
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.
- Have an Amateur Radio Licence to engage in communications support activities.
- Attend at least 60% of team meetings and attend all required training requirements.
General Services Unit (GSU) – Currently not accepting applications
- Join the GSU Bike Team, supporting exercises and emergencies by taking bikes where vehicles 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 (ESS) and perform ESS and ESS support activities, as required.
- Occasionally assist with public outreach events.
*EMT requires:
- a high level of commitment and engagement in ongoing training.
- at least six months as an engaged member of another team before a volunteer can apply to EMT (this may be waived based on a candidate's credentials).
NSEM Core Volunteer Requirements
Volunteer placement on the different teams and programs is based on our organizational or project needs as well as a volunteer’s 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.
All volunteers must:
- be at least 16 years of age (parental/guardian consent required for applicants under 18).
Core volunteers must:
- interview with NSEM staff.
- undergo a reference check.
- pass and maintain a Criminal Record Check (cost covered by NSEM).
- complete a Volunteer Disclosure/Code of Conduct Consent and Photo Release.
- undergo a probationary period with NSEM and commit to regular engagement in training and/or team activities.
- 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.
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.
