Volunteer Opportunities

River City Search & Rescue has many volunteer positions available making it easier to volunteer within our community. The roles available for you to choose from in both administrative, operational, or support capacities.

General Requirements

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

RCSAR members provide for the safety and welfare of all citizens and visitors to Northeast Florida and to protect them from the loss of life and property from disorientation, natural disaster and medical emergency. Disciplines include Wilderness SAR, Urban SAR, locating lost stranded persons, and the promotion of child prevention programs. The introduction of new ideas and concepts leading to improved services which optimize resources will be a high priority for department personnel.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to rapidly shift between dissimilar tasks and situations; make effective decisions while in stressful situations and circumstances.
• Knowledge of first-aid/CPR techniques.
• Knowledge of the geography of Northeast Florida and the law enforcement, Fire and EMS services.
• Skill in the use of computers, two-way radio communications, and various other equipment used to perform daily functions of position.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, and climbing. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Tasks may also involve standing, sitting, or walking for long periods. Visual perception and discrimination is required as well as being able to isolate and distinguish critical sounds, possibly under various conditions to include dark or crowded environments. Must be in good physical health and comfortable in various types of weather/terrain.

TASKS

• Monitors dispatch and responds to emergency and routine calls for assistance. Administer basic first aid and/or CPR, and calls for necessary assistance.
• Foresees potential danger and eliminates or controls it. Performs Search/Rescue activity without injuring self or others. Provides backup to other Search/Rescue personnel.
• Prepares reports and keeps records of all activities in accordance with established policy and procedures.
• Provides accurate and clear Search/Rescue information to the public, participates in community awareness projects, and conducts presentations.
• Operates computerized management information systems to retrieve or enter information.
• Successfully completes all assignments to specifications, within specified time frame and budget as directed and in accordance with agency policies and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Expected to maintain a high level of emergency preparedness by attending at least 50% of team trainings as well as practicing SAR techniques on there own to maintain active member status.

POLICIES

• Volume of work accomplished is consistent with position requirements and produced within quality tolerance standards.
• Works with other team members to achieve group goals by contributing ideas in group settings, accepting ideas contributed by others, operating within team rules, participating in team activities (such as meetings), working with team members to improve job knowledge and skills, putting team goals over personal goals, and supporting team leaders once decisions are made.
• Interpersonal relations, the manner in which the member responds emotionally and verbally to the public, other members, and supervisors. This Policy also relates to the image the member projects and includes cleanliness and personal grooming.

Members are financially responsible for their own equipment, clothing, travel expenses and some costs for classes and class materials.

Supplemental Information:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Be a Citizen of the United States.
• Be a High School Graduate or possess a G.E.D. Certificate.
• Possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• No convictions of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury, false statement, or crime of domestic violence. (Subject to FDLE background check)
• Be of good moral character.

Minimum Requirements:

• IS-100a Introduction to Incident Command Systems
• IS-200a ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700a NIMS an Introduction
• USAR Structural Collapse Awareness
• FEMA/State of Florida US&R Disaster Search Planning and Management

Disqualifier List:

Criminal History

• Any adjudicated felony conviction in the past 10 years.
• A misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement

Military History

• A dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States

Controlled Substance Abuse

• Controlled substances use, other than marijuana, in last five years

Driving History

• Suspended or unacceptable driving record
• DUI/OUI within past five years
• Any traffic violation involving the refusal to submit to a breath/blood/urine test within five years

Prior Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers

• Any sustained internal investigation for perjury or false statements