Get Involved

Get Involved

Being personally prepared for an emergency is only part of the solution. If your neighbors and community are not prepared, neither are you, so consider volunteering so everyone is helped. To obtain more information regarding any of the programs below, visit Columbia County Citizen Corps Council.

Community Emergency Response Teams
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.

Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer unit of pre-identified and pre-credentialed licensed or certified health and medical professionals, paramedical and paraprofessionals to provide surge capacity for health and medical response during disasters and large-scale public health emergencies. MRC members may also support local public health initiatives and non-emergency community events. For more information, contact the MRC Coordinator at 503-366-3929.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service
The Columbia County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) members are prepared to provide a quality backup emergency communications system in response to the needs of the Columbia County Department of Emergency Management, and the people of Columbia County. Members are trained and prepared in the use and maintenance of emergency communications equipment and operating procedures and protocol.

American Red Cross – Oregon Trail Chapter
The American Red Cross provides free emergency preparedness education to the community, trains volunteers to respond to local and national disasters, and provides victims of disaster with shelter, food, crisis counseling, and recovery planning. The Oregon Trail Chapter of the Oregon Red Cross serves Baker, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Gilliam, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill counties. For more information call 503-284-1234.