Volunteer Opportunities

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) are trained amateur radio operators organized to assist in public service and emergency communications. The Arctic Amateur Radio Club, the Fairbanks ARES affiliate, has been actively supporting emergency communication during disasters for over 60 years.

The Artic Amateur Radio Club regularly offers training. 

The American Red Cross of Alaska

The American Red Cross of Alaska serves the entire state of Alaska, and you can count on us to be there to help you in times of need. As a member of the local, national and international network of the Red Cross Movement, the American Red Cross of Alaska is committed to providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

You can receive training in Red Cross Disaster Services, including community disaster education, mass care and sheltering. Interested in formal training? Consider Ready When the Time Comes (RWTC), a corporate volunteer program that taps the human resources of corporate America, mobilizing them as a community-based volunteer force when disaster strikes.

Groups can also lend their facilities in times of disaster. The Fairbanks Office 907-456-5937 can inform you of the opportunities are available in your area.

Registering as a Volunteer

To register as a volunteer go to the American Red Cross website.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Community Emergency Response Team - CERT The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI). CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations and light search and rescue operations.

Registering as a Volunteer

To register as a volunteer go to the City of Fairbanks Volunteers in Policing website.

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) is the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle-preparation, response and recovery-to help disaster survivors and their communities.

Members of National VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission The Alaska VOAD is the state chapter of the National VOAD. The VOAD consists of organizations active in disaster response throughout the state of Alaska. The VOAD brings together organizations and enable them to understand each other and work together during times of disaster preparedness, response, relief and recovery.

Principles

Alaska VOAD adheres to the principles established by the National VOAD. The principles are referred to as the 4C's:

  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Cooperation
  • Coordination

These principles serve as the foundation for the Alaska VOAD as it collaborates with local, regional and national partners to coordinate disaster relief, response and recovery efforts in times of disaster.

Additional Information

For more information go to Alaska Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

NWS Fairbanks Volunteer Spotter Program

Volunteer weather spotters are able to help their community and surrounding communities by reporting to the NWS: 

  • Freezing Rain
  • Hail
  • Heavy Rainfall
  • Heavy Snow
  • River Flooding
  • Strong Winds
  • Thunderstorms
  • Etc.

Most of the time, a weather spotter will provide a report to the NWS by phone, internet, or ham radio. 

Registering as a Volunteer

To register as a volunteer go to the NWS Fairbanks Spotter Program Website.