Emergency Volunteer Services (EVS)

The Providence Emergency Voluteer Service (EVS) was formed in 2008 and operates under the direction of the City of Providence's Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). EVS is the result of the combination of two long-time Providence volunteer groups; the American Red Cross Shelter Group (ARC-SG) and the Providence Community Emergency Response Team (P-CERT).

Purpose

EVS operates to assist Providence EMA and other municipal departments with manpower and equipment during emergencies and municipal events. EVS volunteers could potentially assist in any of the following activities; Severe Weather Monitoring, Emergency Operations Center Support, Communications, Emergency Preparedness Education, Point of Distribution Management, Traffic Control, and Emergency Scene Lighting.

Goal

EVS Volunteers are people who offer their time and talent to help make Providence a better place in which to live and work. The one thing they have in common is a desire to give something back to their community.

Basic Requirements for EVS Membership

• U.S. Citizen
• 18 years of age at time of application
• Possession of a valid Rhode Island Driver's License
• Have a safe and properly operating vehicle for transportation
• Be able to provide proof of vehicle insurance
• Be free of any charges, arrests, convictions, or other history which might harm EVS' name or reputation.

Note: All qualified CERT volunteers will receive a local police background check while all ARC Volunteers will receive an American Red Cross background check.

Volunteer Profile

The ideal volunteer should be a person between 18 and 45 years of age with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to perform under pressure, ability to give and receive orders and the ability to complete tasks without direct supervision. Potential volunteers should be familiar with basic two-way radio operations. Volunteers with foreign language skills, sign-language skills and or other unique skills related to emergency management such as Emergency Medical Certification and Ham Radio Operators License are considered plusses.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are two volunteer programs that comprise Providence EVS; the American Red Cross Shelter Group (ARC-SG) and the Providence Community Emergency Response Team (P-CERT). Each has a different but complimentary mission and training syllabus.

Program Missions

• American Red Cross (ARC) Shelter Group (SG)
  • The mission of the ARC-SG are to provide trained volunteers for the city's eight (8) certified Hurricane Red Cross Shelters and six (6) standard Red Cross Shelters during a time of crisis. Each of the ARC-SG Teams consists of a number of team members and a supervisor.
  • To find out more about the American Red Cross Shelter Group, check out our ARC-SG page.
    
• Providence Community Emergency Response Team (P-CERT)
  • The mission of the CERT Program is to educate 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.
  • To find out more about the Providence Community Emergency Response Team, check out our P-CERT page.

For more information call or email the Preparedness Coordinator at 401-680-8096 or at PEMA@providenceri.com

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