WIP: This article is a work-in-progress. gba@20130508

This article describes several ways to assist with emergency and disaster services as a part-time responder. Skills discussed range from emergency medical services to disaster technology operations.

Emergency Medicine

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a baseline emergency medical skill. Several organizations teach this CPR, some free, some paid.

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sports Basement even offers free CPR classes!

• A extensive list from City College of San Francisco
• American Red Cross
• American Heart Association
• American Safety & Health Institute

First Aid

In addition to teaching CPR, several organizations also teach First Aid classes.

• American Red Cross
• A extensive list from City College of San Francisco

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is nationally recognized level of Emergency Medical Services training and scope of practice that replaces what was previous called 'First Responder'. Classes covering the curriculum for this level of certification are offered through the country. Unfortunately for those of us in California, the Emergency Medical Services Authority does not have a level of certification that matches that of the national government.

The EMR curriculum contains much of the same scope of practice as that of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), except with a limited instruction time. EMR classes are offered at several San Francisco Bay Area community colleges and often offer additional associated emergency medical certifications.

City College of San Francisco's Public Safety-Emergency Medical Response (Fire Science 17) includes all of the following certifications:

• American Red Cross Emergency Response (ER)
• American Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens: Preventing Disease Transmission
• American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen
• American Red Cross BLS: CPR/AED For the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider
• California Division of Forestry (CalFire) Emergency Care of the Sick & Injured (Title 22).

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

When you're ready to take emergency medical care seriously, you should consider setting aside a semester of school to take an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. This course will familiarize and certify you to care for people as a professional rescuer. This course is also offered at many San Francisco Bay Area colleges, as well as through private training facilities.

• City College of San Francisco's Health Care Technology-Emergency Medical Technician class.
• San Francisco Paramedic Association Emergency Medical Technician course.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) / Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)

An adjunct for emergency medical skills are the wilderness courses offered by several organizations. These courses will familiarize you with caring for patients in remote regions using local resources.

• National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness First Responder
• National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Response

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Teams (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.

Called NERT, PANDA, CORE, and other things within the Bay Area, CERT is a nationally recognized course in disaster response. This course is offered by most Bay Area municipal governments.

• San Francisco Fire Department Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT)
• Extensive List of Bay Area Teams

Emergency Communications

Amateur Radio (Ham) License

In times of crisis the most affected ability will be that of communication. Ham Radio operators have the capability and skill to overcome the obstacles of power outages, phone outages, and other communication disasters.

• American Radio Relay League
• Hamcram Get your license in one day!

Emergency Management

Incident Command System (ICS)

The United States Department of Homeland Security offers several courses in ICS, the system used nation-wide for emergency and disaster management.

Links TK

• IS-100.b, Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
• IS-200.b, Incident Command System (ICS) for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• ICS-300, Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) for Expanding Incidents
• ICS-400, Advanced Incident Command System (ICS), Command and General Staff-Complex Incidents
• IS-700.a, National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
• IS-800.b, National Response Framework (NRF)

Applying Skills

Medical

The following organizations provide medical services through the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. Volunteering (or working) for these organizations is a great way to exercise your skills as a part-time emergency medical services provider.

• Rock Medicine Provides Volunteer Emergency Medical Services at shows, concerts, festivals and other large public events throughout Northern California. CPR or above certifications are accepted.
• American Red Cross Bay Area Provides Volunteer First Aid services at shows, festivals and other large public events throughout the US. CPR or above certification are accepted.
• Burning Man Emergency Services Department Provides Volunteer Emergency Medical Services at the Burning Man festival. EMT or above certifications are accepted.
• Mutual Aid Response Service Provides Paid Emergency Medical Services at events throughout Northern California. EMT or above required.

Communications

• Field Day An annual emergency communications exercise where Amateur Radio Operators practice disaster response activities for 48-hours.
• American Red Cross Bay Area Provides Volunteer Communications for large public events through the US. An Amateur Radio License is required.
• Burning Man Emergency Services Department Provides Volunteer Communications for the Burning Man festival. No certification is required.
• American Red Cross Disaster Services Technology Provides relief communications to communities affected disaster throughout the United States.

Disaster

• American Red Cross Disaster Services Provides relief (housing, food, comfort) to communities affected by disaster throughout the United States.