Emergency Services Unit
Ramsey County Emergency Services assists in a wide variety of emergency and disaster incidents both in the county and occasionally under mutual aid to other counties at all hours of the day and all times of the year. Examples of activities and incidents Emergency Services supports include:
- Ramsey County Emergency Management projects.
- Major planned events.
- Fire and hazmat scenes.
- Law enforcement scenes.
- Large-scale disasters.
- Severe weather (Skywarn).
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers should be available to assist when requested on at least a few incidents a year. Volunteers will receive training on the duties listed below and should be capable of performing them as needed under a variety of weather conditions and under short notice activations.
- Support the technical operations of the Mobile Incident Command Center (MICC) and Mobile Command Post (MCP), including electronic, computer, communications and vehicle operations systems.
- Additional training, qualification and response capability is required to become Emergency Vehicle Operator drivers for the MICC and MCP.
- Operate generators for scene support.
- Set up mobile scene lighting.
- Communications support including 800 MHz radio operations.
- Amateur radio operations for Metro Skywarn Net Control activations.
- Incident facility security support.
- Administrative, communications and logistical support on scene and at Department Operations and Emergency Operations Centers.
- Assistance with public emergency preparedness education programs.
- Assistance with public safety exercises and training events.
What we require of members
Application requirements
- Age: Adults (18 or older).
- Background checks: All applicants must submit to a background check and have a clear criminal history.
- Driver's license: All applicants must have a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation.
- Pre-requisite training: All applicants must submit proof of completion of the following Federal Emergency Management Independent Study classes. These short online courses are available free from FEMA.
- IS-100
- IS-200
- IS-700
- IS-800
Participation requirements
Initial qualification training
The ESU Volunteer Academy is held twice annually in the spring and fall. It is 24 hours long, consisting of three eight-hour Saturday trainings. After completting all eligibility requirements and the ESU Volunteer Academy, members are qualified for depolyments to planned events
Deployment participation
- A minimum of 15 hours of deployed time per year in addition to training requirments for entry level members.
- Deployments can be for many hours under all weather conditions.
- Emergency deployments for those who have gone through the qualification are by nature short notice with quick response times anywhere in the county. They can be overnight under adverse weather conditions with limited amenities. They can be both high stress and have long periods of "hurry up and wait."
Ongoing training requirements
- The ESU holds monthly training meetings. Members are required to attend a minimum of two of every three monthly meetings a quarter.
- Additional training and deployment availability is required to qualify for emergency deployments, Emergency Vehicle Operator certification as a MICC or MCP driver, and leadership levels.
Apply
To apply, complete both the application and background check form.
For more information, contact rces@rcemhs.com.