Opportunities From: Hamilton County (IN)

Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) volunteer programs are designed to be long-term opportunities to help further HCEM's mission to provide support to plan, prepare, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural, human-caused, and accidental hazards.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an all-volunteer program that trains to be the Help Until Help Arrives in their area. They train in disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and learn basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Upon completion of the Basic Course, CERT members are asked to attend monthly meetings and regular training to further their preparedness knowledge.

We have three Basic Courses scheduled for 2026. You can choose the class that works best for your schedule. Each session meets on Friday 7p-9:30p, Saturday 9a-5p, Sunday 9a-5p, and Monday 7p-9:30p.

All volunteer candidates must be 18 years or older and complete this volunteer application, background check, and training requirements. Once your application is reviewed, a team member will be in contact with you to schedule an interview.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Monica.Peterson@HamiltonCounty.in.gov or Bryan.Kercheval@HamiltonCounty.in.gov.

Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) volunteer programs are designed to be long-term opportunities to help further HCEM's mission to provide support to plan, prepare, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural, human-caused, and accidental hazards.

The Communications Group consists of a well-trained group of experienced communicators, technicians, engineers, and specialists in all facets of deployable equipment, enabling rapid response anywhere in the county and wherever needed in the state for mutual aid. In the face of emergencies, swift and reliable communication is paramount. We understand that when disaster strikes, traditional communication methods might falter.

While the Communications Group’s core focus is amateur radio, our expertise extends well beyond that. We have members skilled in FRS, GMRS, telecommunications, satellite systems, IT infrastructure, and more. In today’s interconnected world, emergency communications are no longer limited to amateur radio alone. To ensure resilience and adaptability during crises, we actively encourage our volunteers to explore and develop alternative communication methods. By diversifying our capabilities, we can build a stronger, more reliable network that stands ready to meet the challenges of modern emergency response.

After joining the Comms Group, volunteers are asked to attend monthly meetings and participate in special events and outreach throughout the year.

All volunteer candidates must be 18 years or older and complete this volunteer application, background check, and training requirements. Once your application is reviewed, a team member will be in contact with you to schedule an interview.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Monica.Peterson@HamiltonCounty.in.gov or Joe.March@HamiltonCounty.in.gov.

Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) volunteer programs are designed to be long-term opportunities to help further HCEM's mission to provide support to plan, prepare, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural, human-caused, and accidental hazards.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Volunteer Program offers individuals a unique opportunity to serve their community while gaining hands-on experience in managing critical operations during emergencies. This program is ideal for those with backgrounds in military service, law enforcement, fire, or emergency management who want to build upon their existing skills.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training on the technologies and systems used within the EOC, including smart boards, audio and video switching, video teleconferencing, and both amateur and public safety radio systems. In addition to mastering these tools, participants learn the essential skills required to manage the EOC during activations for disasters and major incidents.

Training sessions are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month for two hours, providing numerous opportunities to develop valuable skills that can be applied to current roles or future career paths. EOC volunteers play a vital role during storm operations and support special events such as the Noblesville Fourth of July Celebration, Street Dance, Carmel Marathon, Atlanta Good Earth Festival, the County Fair, and other community activities.

To maintain high standards, volunteers are expected to earn their FEMA Professional Development Series (PDS) certification and obtain an Amateur Radio Technician license within one year of joining. All training aligns with national standards and incorporates real-world best practices.

The program is structured into four progressive levels, allowing participants to expand their knowledge and expertise over time. As members of the Hamilton County Emergency Management team, volunteers also gain access to additional local, state, and federal training opportunities, further enhancing their capabilities and impact.

All volunteer candidates must be 18 years or older and complete this volunteer application, background check, and training requirements. Once your application is reviewed, a team member will be in contact with you to schedule an interview.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Monica.Peterson@HamiltonCounty.in.gov or Thomas.Huser@HamiltonCounty.in.gov.

Hamilton County Emergency Management proudly hosts the National Weather Service Storm Spotter training. We are thrilled to be hosting this event in person again this year! 

Reporting severe weather is essential in helping form a complete picture of what is happening in your area. Learn what, when, why, and how to report information. Gain a basic understanding of thunderstorm structure, spotting techniques, reporting criteria, safety information, and procedures.

This event is open to everyone who would like to attend. This training is appropriate for all ages, but ages 10 and up are likely to benefit the most. Training will be held at the Carmel Fire Department Headquarters at 210 Veterans Way, Carmel. Registration is required to ensure there is enough seating.   

Summer brings great weather and a new set of hazards. Let Jim teach us how to protect ourselves this season. 

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

Teams meeting link

Water can be so relaxing and enjoyable, but it can also be quite dangerous. Let's learn how to stay safe!

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

Teams meeting link

The days of Mr. Yuck are long gone, but the dangers still persist. Learn how to protect yourself and your family against poisoning.  

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

Teams meeting link

We've all heard rumors about health issues, but what is true? Let's find out!

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

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Staying physically active, eating well, and staying hydrated are important parts of staying healthy. Join us as Jim helps us stay on track for our own well-being.

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

Teams meeting link

Have you ever thought about how much the world has changed since you were in school? The number of things that kids deal with today is unimaginable. Let's learn from Jim some of the things that we can do to help our kids and grandkids stay safe in the Cyber World.

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

Teams meeting link

If you feel someone is at risk for suicide, knowing what to do can save lives.

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19:meeting_YjRlZDY0NTktMTgwZS00NDBiLTliZmEtYTMzYzZkY2RkZDcy@thread.v2/0?context={"Tid":"66db0e9b-cfb9-4584-a4cb-dce4f443be45","Oid":"4a7672ce-d744-4fca-a9ab-8f08ffb3d754"}

We've all been at buffets and seen food that looks like it's been there a while. What if we're in an incident and people are bringing in food? Who's keeping track of where it came from and how long it's been there?

This training will be offered online via a Teams Meeting. Please join us from the comfort of your home as Jim Ginder shares important information with us.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19:meeting_Njk2MjRmZWEtMmJlZC00ZDViLWFlOWMtM2UyNTBiNzlhODli@thread.v2/0?context={"Tid":"66db0e9b-cfb9-4584-a4cb-dce4f443be45","Oid":"4a7672ce-d744-4fca-a9ab-8f08ffb3d754"}