High Alert Institute

Volunteer

Volunteering With the High Alert Institute

From the staffing pool to the shelter ponds, from the boardroom to the classroom, and from reading the science to writing the analyses, High Alert Institute programs and services benefit from the experience, expertise, and generosity of our volunteers. Put your talents to use for good and to good use – VOLUNTEER TODAY.

Volunteers with the High Alert Institute have a wide variety of opportunities to learn and to serve the greater good. Our animal rescue deploys to the field when there is a need to save aquatic animals. Our shelter volunteers learn and practice aquaponics, hydroponics, and aquaculture as well as animal welfare skills.

Want to volunteer remotely? Professionals, researchers, subject matter experts, graduate students and even select undergraduates and high school students put their intellectual skills to work for people, animals and the environment by working with our R & D Support team and with our Projects4Good program.

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Put your talents to use for good & to good use. Volunteer at the High Alert Institute.

Volunteer Now

Deploying With Our Rescue Team

We work with private pond owners, animal welfare agencies, as well as county and state Divisions of Emergency Management. In most cases, our rescue team deploys ahead of disasters. Training is required before individuals can become a volunteer with the High Alert Institute.

Diversity & Inclusion Policy

The High Alert Institute has a commitment to the inclusion and respect of all people of all faiths, races, colors, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles, abilities, challenges, and backgrounds. Not all people can or even want to respond to disasters in the field. If you want to serve, we WILL find a way and a place for you!!!

Requirements to Volunteer

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to deploy to a disaster in Florida. Volunteers younger than 18 are considered for service opportunities at or Lake Wales facility with parental consent. All High Alert Institute team members are required to complete Disaster Readiness Training to be eligible to participate in High Alert Institute activities, operations, or deployments.

Vaccinations

All volunteers are encouraged to have the following vaccinations when entering a disaster area:

Tetanus Vaccination within the past 5 years (Td vaccine), or 10 years (Tdap vaccine).
Hepatitis A & B vaccinations
COVID-19 Vaccination and Current Boosters
MMR vaccinations
Polio vaccinations

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BASIC STAFF & VOLUNTEER DISASTER READINESS TRAINING

IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 - (6/25/2018)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c

Introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

IS-200.c Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 – (3/11/2019)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c

Reviews the Incident Command System (ICS), provides the context for ICS within initial response, and supports higher level ICS training. This course provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS.

IS-700.b An Introduction to the National Incident Management System – (6/25/2018)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community – all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector – to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.

IS-800.d National Response Framework, An Introduction - (5/6/2020)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-800.d

The National Response Framework (NRF) provides broad guidance for the whole community – all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector – to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NRF concepts, principles, and components.

IS 10a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness - (10/2/2015)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-10.a

This course is intended to help animal owners, care providers, and industries to understand incident management.

IS-11.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning – (10/2/2015)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-11.a

This course provides information for groups to meet and develop meaningful and effective plans that improve the care of animals, their owners, and the animal-care industries in disasters.

What People with Service Dogs Want You to Know

https://youtu.be/kEcvUH0ej5k?t=38

Griffin hosted this informative webinar in partnership with Fidos for Freedom to help the public understand the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities. Watch to learn how these amazing animals empower citizens with disabilities to live full lives, as well as some of the challenges that come with being a handler.

FEMA Stop The Bleed Training

https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/until-help-arrives?tabset-15eb6=2

A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. You can save a life by taking simple actions immediately after the trauma. Launched in October of 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed is intended to train, equip, and empower bystanders to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

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ADDITIONAL TRAINING & EXPERIENCE FOR LEAD or MANAGEMENT ROLES

10 hours working with aquatic animals at the High Alert Institute, similar environment, or in a veterinary practice. Additional training listed below:

IS-20.22 Diversity Awareness Course 2022 - (1/3/2022)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-20.22

This course recognizes the benefits of diversity in our workforce and FEMA’s commitment to valuing the diversity of its employees and customers.

IS-368 Including People with Disabilities & Others with Access & Functional Needs in Disaster Operations - (2/20/2014)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-368

The purpose of this course is to increase awareness and understanding of the need for full inclusion of disaster survivors and staff who are people with disabilities, and people with access and functional needs. The course provides an overview of disabilities and access and functional needs and explains how disaster staff can apply inclusive practices in their disaster assignments.

IS-271.a Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk, 2nd Edition - (10/31/2013)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-271.a

This course provides decision-makers with background information about weather, natural hazards, and preparedness.

IS-324.a Community Hurricane Preparedness - (10/31/2013)

https://training.fema.gov/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-324.a

This course is on a non-federal government website operated by the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) and provides those involved in the decision-making process for hurricane readiness with core knowledge regarding hurricane forecasts, behavior and the tools used by emergency management during the response to hurricanes.