Get Involved
Following a disaster, spontaneous volunteers often arrive at shelters and community centers willing to help. Though well meaning, untrained volunteers can often interfere with relief operations or take up valuable time and resources to be trained on site. A previously trained volunteer can more effectively and immediately help their community in the wake of an emergency or major disaster and will be connected to an organization or network that can properly utilize their skillset and services.
Become a DEM Volunteer
The Emergency Management Reserve Corps (EMRC) is DEM’s primary volunteer program. Trained Emergency Management Reservists (EMRs) are assigned to either Field Operations in one of eight geographical districts on the island of Oahu or as an amateur radio communicator for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES).
Field Operations
Emergency Management Reserve Corps
Emergency Management Reservists’ primary assignment is to augment and assist police and other first responders in closure of roads or other locations due to hazardous weather conditions. Reservists also assist in warning and evacuation of at risk populations during disasters and other duties as requested by first responders.
- Assist with alert and warning of communities during emergencies
- Assist first responders with access control to hazard areas
- Provide traffic control and management
- Observe and report hazardous weather conditions
- Assist with damage assessment
- Provide logistical support at emergency incident sites and/or special events
RACES
Radio Amatuer Civil Emergency Service
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) consists of licensed amateur radio operators (hams) who make themselves available during communication emergencies. These volunteers, after completing the pre-requisites are assigned to provide communications to and from DEM during emergencies and incidents where normal means of communication may be cut off to part or all of the island of Oahu. These individuals may be assigned to geographic locations to provide communication for Red Cross Shelters. They may also assist communications for first responders should there communications become nonoperational.
- Receive and transmit information via amateur radio between the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and incidents sites such as shelters when normal communications are disrupted
- Collect and report weather and other impact information from ham operators and transmit to the EOC to enhance situational awareness
- Develop plans and conduct exercises to establish and test back up communications protocols and equipment
- Establish alternate communications networks in the event of communications system failure
Training and Prerequisites
The following training must be completed before applying to become a reservist:
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
Click on the above link to learn more and to register for the CERT course.
Additional training to be completed within one year of joining:
- New Reservist Orientation
- City and County of Honolulu Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Ethics Training
- Traffic Control Training, provided by the Honolulu Police Department
- FEMA Independent Study Courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800
These courses can be completed online on your own time. They take between 2 and 4 hours to complete, including an online final examination. Once you pass the exam, you will be sent a certificate, this will serve as your proof of course completion.
Minimum Qualifications for EMRC and RACES
- Be a permanent resident of the United States
- Be not less than 18 years of age
- Submit to a Federal fingerprint background check
- Provide a current and official traffic abstract
- Complete the DEM Physical Suitability Form signed by a doctor
- Possess a current motor vehicle driver’s license
- Possess an amateur radio operator’s license – **RACES applicants only**
- The Director of Emergency Management may waive qualification requirements under special circumstances.