Volunteer with MCEM
Multnomah County Emergency Management (MCEM) is updating our volunteer management plan and systems. As such, we are unable to take on new volunteers at this time. Please consider volunteering with other Multnomah County programs or other emergency management related organizations. Watch this page for updates.
Other Multnomah County volunteer opportunities
For volunteer opportunities supporting emergency shelters during our severe weather responses, including roles and requirements for:
For other, non-Emergency Management volunteer opportunities in Multnomah County, visit Volunteer at the County.
Other relevant Emergency Management volunteer opportunities
While MCEM updates our volunteer management system, you may be interested in these other emergency response and preparedness volunteer opportunities.
Personal Preparedness
The Be 2 Weeks Ready coordinator program is a great way to build your personal and community preparedness.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)/ Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) in Portland Metro
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
To find out more information about CERT or NET training in Portland and Multnomah County, visit the City of Portland's NET Training website.
Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Nodes (BEECN)
A BEECN is a temporary radio communications site staffed by at least two volunteers after a major earthquake that takes down phone lines. BEECNs are places where you can report severe damage or injury or ask for emergency assistance when phones are down. This program is run by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
The Multnomah County ARES consists of federally licensed amateur radio operators who are trained in emergency communications and have a strong desire to serve our community whenever the need arises. ARES is a field organization of the American Radio Relay League. Amateur radio operators from throughout the county, who have an interest in community service and emergency communications, are strongly encouraged to get involved.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (MCSO SAR)
MCSO SAR is a volunteer organization whose objective is to serve the community by searching for and rescuing lost or injured persons in wilderness or urban areas, assist with evacuations during emergencies, assisting law enforcement with evidence searches, and educating the public.
Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps is a voluntary unit of licensed and certified healthcare providers that will assist Multnomah County Health Department in the health and medical response during emergency sheltering and large scale public health emergencies.
To learn more about the Multnomah County Medical Reserve Corps, contact: mrc@multco.us. Application materials can be found at the Multnomah County Medical Reserve Corps website.
Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
The Portland-area COAD is a network of community-based organizations, nonprofits, small businesses, faith groups, and neighborhood partners working together to strengthen our region’s emergency readiness, response, and recovery.
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
Community organizations partnering to meet the unmet needs of the community during a disaster. These organizations include: faith-based, community-based organizations (CBO), private, and non-governmental organizations (NGO).
Information for the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) state-wide in Oregon and Washington, and nation-wide across the United States can be found at:
Oregon - www.orvoad.org
Washington - www.wavoad.org
National - www.nvoad.org
American Red Cross (ARC)
Volunteers are the backbone of the American Red Cross and without their help, the ARC would not be able to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.