Recruitment

The Burbank Fire Corps is actively seeking new members. Membership has two prerequisites: applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age and provide proof of California residency. Young adults 16+ may apply with the written consent of their parents. No special skills are required to join Fire Corps – only a desire to serve the community.

The Burbank Fire Corps does not discriminate on any basis and it's members are expected to follow that principle.

The first step to becoming a Fire Corps volunteer is to call the City of Burbank Management Services Department at (818) 238-5340 and arrange to complete the BFCP application form. This includes some selection of a desired Disaster Service Worker (DSW) classification. Scroll down to learn more about the California DSW Volunteer Program.

Upon receipt of the completed application, the Management Services Division will begin the registration process, which includes a Live Scan finger print background check. During the usual 7-10 day wait for approval, candidates are encouraged to read their orientation packet. After approval, candidates continue the process by taking the Disaster Service Worker oath, then return the signed Volunteer Orientation acknowledgement. The final step in the process is the issuance of an ID card.

Once a volunteer becomes a member of Fire Corps, their training opportunities – and chance to contribute – broaden. Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the training recommendations. These recommendations offer a chance to advance in the program, but more importantly, they unlock opportunities to serve in ways that a convergent volunteer can't.

Advancement to successive levels is not required. New members, or long-time (but inactive) members, are encouraged to start slow and explore their interests in disaster awareness and emergency services. Each successive Fire Corps level indicates a member has achieved a particular Program standard by three different measures:

• Dedicating a certain number of hours to training.
• Passing certain classes relevant to disasters and Emergency Services.
• Contributing hours to the program through attendance at meetings, special events and operational callouts.

Time Commitment

Fire Corps members are encouraged to participate at levels within their comfort zone. While we operate under the authority of the Burbank Fire Department, Emergency Services Division – and many members are involved in Emergency Services or Emergency Management in other areas – Fire Corps itself is an all-volunteer organization. Our members come from all walks of life and they choose how much time they want to contribute, often varying their availability month-to-month and season-to-season based on other obligations.

Renewal

Fire Corps members are encouraged to contact the Management Services Department at least 90 days prior to their ID badge expiring.

Before going to register at the Management Services Department, it's recommended that Fire Corps candidates familiarize themselves with the basics of the California Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Program (DSWVP) [PDF]. The following is a brief primer that should help to smooth the process when filling out the application.

For folk unfamiliar with the sometimes daunting requirements of public service, it may help to know some of the history. Modern disaster volunteerism has it's earliest roots with the Council of National Defense (CND), established with the U.S. Army Appropriations Act in 1916. In 1941, President Roosevelt overhauled the CND with the Office of Civilian Defense.

As the second world war intensified, concern over California's vast Pacific border sparked the California legislature to pass the State War Powers Act in 1943. This led to the creation of the California War Council. Soon after, every county in California had a local War Council. By the close of the war, many of those councils made a transition to a peacetime Disaster Council. Burbank registered their own Disaster Council in 1946.

The Disaster Councils advocated for the volunteers, including limited immunity from liability and securing Workers' Compensation for injuries sustained while volunteering. With those benefits, though, certain qualifications had to be included to make certain the system was not abused. The safeguards included accrediting the Disaster Councils, legally requiring a loyalty oath, and training and preparing volunteers for their disaster service assignments (Cal. Code Regs., §2573.1 (5)(b)(c)(2)(3)).

The training and preparation of volunteers for their disaster service assignments is a critical aspect both of volunteer safety and accomplishing our missions. Part of this process is categorizing volunteers based on their preexisting skill set. Certain classes of skills allows volunteers to utilize their expertise when the community needs them the most. To maintain compliance with the DSW volunteer classifications approved by the California Emergency Council, volunteers are asked to select a classification assignment.

By default, all new volunteers are classed as "Logistics", a reflection of Fire Corps' auxiliary function in the Burbank Fire Department. You are, however, encouraged to review the approved categories. If you qualify into one of the following classifications, some of which are further defined into specialty areas, specifying this will allow you to be deployed for that given task with expediency.

Pick one classification. If you have multiple skills, you may note a secondary classification on your application. While your ID will only specify your primary class, your secondary class will be recorded, noted and considered during activations. You will also be required to bring a copy of any appropriate professional certificates or licenses to the Live Scan office during your initial finger printing. Note that prior to deployment, all classifications will also be trained on applying their skills in the special, high-stress circumstances of disaster situations.

Burbank is subject to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides and hazardous materials incidents. We have the potential to provide mutual aid to communities subject to tsunamis, floods, tornadoes, and riots. The range of potential disasters means volunteers will always be needed, though particular classifications may not. Actual service assignments, therefore, will vary depending on the circumstance. If a volunteer is assigned to a task outside of their classification, they will receive training in that assignment prior to deployment.

• Communications: Install, operate and maintain various communications systems and perform related service, to assist officials and individuals in the protection of life and property.
  NOTE: The most common qualification for this category include the various classes of FCC ham licenses via ARRL training and certification.
• Community Emergency Response Team Member: Under the direction of emergency personnel or a designated team leader, assist emergency units within their block, neighborhood, or other area assignment; survey area conditions; disseminate information; secure data desirable for emergency preparedness planning; report incidents; and generally assist officials and individuals in the protection of life and property.
  NOTE: CERT certification must meet the FEMA-approved, 17.5 hour minimum curricula (though programs that go beyond this are also welcome). The CERT certification may be in certificate or ID card form, but a copy must be submitted for review and approval.
• Human Services: Assist in providing food, clothing, bedding, shelter, and rehabilitation aid; register evacuees to promote reuniting families and to support the needs of special populations; compile authoritative lists of deceased and missing persons; and other phases of emergency human services, such as maintaining morale and administering to the mental health, religious or spiritual needs of persons suffering from the effects of the disaster.
  NOTE: Accepted qualifications for this category include American Red Cross Mass Care and Sheltering, as well as certification in psychological and psychiatric counseling. Certifications from faith-based organizations volunteering for disaster counseling roles may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• Logistics: Under the direction of the emergency organization, assist in procurement, warehousing, and release of supplies, equipment materials, or other resources. Assist in mobilization and utilization of public and private transportation resources required for the movement of persons, materials, and equipment.
  NOTE: This is the default category for BFCP volunteers. The BFCP interpretation includes both the administrative and physical aspects, from coordination to transport.
• Medical & Environmental Health: Staff casualty stations, establish and operate medical and public health field units; assist in hospitals, out-patient clinics, and other medical and public health installations; maintain or restore environmental sanitation; assist in preserving the safety of food, milk, and water and preventing the spread of disease; perform laboratory analysis to detect the presence and minimize the effects of nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological or other hazardous agents.
  NOTE: This category includes doctors, nurses, radiologists, pharmacists, Paramedics, laboratory technicians, EMTs, etc. However, you do not have to be a professional to request this category. If you have a current First Aid or CPR/AED certification, this may be a suitable category.
• Safety Assessment: Survey, evaluate and assess damaged facilities for continued occupancy or use; assist in emergency restoration of facilities for utilities, transportation, and other vital community services; and provide recommendations regarding shoring or stabilization of damaged or unsafe buildings or structures.
  NOTE: The Safety Assessment Program (SAP) includes Evaluators, Coordinators and Assistants. Safety Assessment Evaluators must be professionally registered engineers, professionally licensed architects or certified building inspectors. Coordinators must have attended and completed the SAP Coordinator class. Non-qualified individuals who have gone through the SAP Evaluator class may note their availability as Assistant Safety Assessment Inspectors, and may, at the discretion of the City of Burbank, be utilized as SAP Evaluators within City limits. Individuals trained at any SAP level are encouraged to note this on their application.
• Search & Rescue: Under the direction of the appropriate authority, perform search and rescue operations in one or more of several areas including: search and rescue; urban search and rescue; or mine and confined space rescue.
  NOTE: Accepted criteria includes certificates of completion of SAR courses from NASAR, TEEX or equivalent.

This is not the complete list of California DSWVP approved classifications. The State recognizes the additional categories of Animal Rescue, Finance & Administration, Fire, Laborer, Law Enforcement and Utilities. Unfortunately, Burbank doesn't have the resources required to check the credentials outside of our already-approved categories. This list may change in the future and any questions regarding the list may be directed to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Note that disaster service, as defined for the DSW Volunteer Program, is designed primarily to aid in disaster events. Additionally, it covers authorized, documented and planned disaster training activity or disaster exercise. It does not include the day-to-day emergency response activities typically associated with, for example, law enforcement, fire services or emergency medical services.

For those functions, Fire Corps maintains additional training and certification protocols that have been approved by the Burbank Fire Department. Once certified for these daily operational missions, members receive similar liability and Workers' Compensation coverage through the City of Burbank.

It's a disaster! How can I volunteer right now?

In the event of a declared disaster, there are a number of ways a citizen can volunteer their time. Many will simply show up and this type of help is classed as a "convergent volunteer." If at all possible, avoid converging right outside your local fire station (where traffic will be bad enough). Instead, if you're on the east side of the 5 freeway, report to City Hall. If you're on the west side of the 5, volunteer processing takes place at the Burbank Board of Realtors. Once at your designated location, you'll be expected to sign a release and take the Disaster Service Worker oath.

The short process, called "Single Event Registration," will re-categorize you from "convergent volunteer" to "Temporary Disaster Service Worker" and afford you the liability protection, immunities and workers' compensation insurance through the DSW Volunteer Program (Govt. Code §820, §8657, Public Law 105-19, Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, 42 USCA 14501-14505). At the discretion of the Burbank Disaster Council, a single event only registration can be extended to a period of up to one calendar year (Govt. Code, §3102).

As a Temp DSW, you'll be given orders to report to a volunteer staging area, which will vary depending on the time and circumstance of the disaster. Before deployment, you will receive just-in-time training from qualified volunteers or professional first responders.