Opportunities From: VolunteerME Southern Maine

Overview:
     CERT is a volunteer group dedicated to assisting others during emergencies. Through preparedness, education, training, and response efforts, CERTs enhance the resiliency of the community and assist first responders during disaster situations.

CERT Mission:
     To enhance local preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in emergencies through training, community engagement, and collaboration with local emergency services. The goal of CERT is to train and empower community members to assist themselves and each other during disasters, as well as create a pool of volunteers willing and able to help the greater population when local resources are strained.

Activities:    
     There are a number of different activities a CERT member could assist with:

During Disasters:

Before & After Disasters:

Get Involved:
     Emergencies can strike at any time, and the more prepared we are, the better we can respond. Join your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers who help save lives and assist those in need during disasters.

     CERT welcomes individuals of all capabilities and experience. No matter who you are, there is a spot for you with CERT!

     For more information, visit our website, email CERT@cumberlandcounty.org, call 207-892-6785, or use this link to a Google Form to register and a CERT leader will contact you!

Overview: The Cumberland County Animal Response Team (CCART) is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to ensuring the welfare of animals during emergencies and disasters. Our team works under the direction of the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency and collaborates with local, state, and federal partners to provide timely and effective responses to animal-related incidents.

CCART Mission: To coordinate sheltering and minimize suffering of pets in the event of a major disaster, to provide community awareness of emergency planning and preparedness for families of companion and large animals, and to partner with other responders to ensure effective overall disaster response.

History: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, federal officials learned that many Gulf Coast residents refused to evacuate without their pets. The residents who did evacuate with pets found human shelters unwilling or unable to accept companion animals. This tragic situation prompted Congress to pass the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (the PETS Act). This law requires state and local emergency management officials to incorporate household pets and service animals into disaster preparedness programs. In September, 2008, the Cumberland County Animal Response Team held its first informational meeting and has been committed to animal welfare and emergency animal sheltering ever since.

Key Responsibilities:
       - Emergency Response: Mobilizing to assist with animal sheltering and medical care during disasters.
       - Public Education: Conducting workshops and outreach programs to promote animal preparedness and responsible pet ownership.
       - Resource Coordination: Collaborating with local agencies to ensure resources are available for animals in need during crises.
       - Advocacy: Raising awareness about animal welfare and promoting policies that protect pets, service animals, and livestock in our community.

Get Involved: CCART welcomes any volunteer who shares our passion for animal welfare. Whether you have experience in veterinary care, animal handling, or simply a love for animals, there are many ways to contribute to our mission. All necessary training will be provided - no prior experience needed. Join us in making a difference for animals in Cumberland County!

Overview: The Wilderness Rescue Team (WRT) is an all-volunteer, non-profit corporation that has been serving the people of Maine for more than 40 years. As a search and rescue team, WRT provides a critical set of skills to assist in wilderness rescue and is available 24/7 to respond. The team trains in multiple search and rescue functions such as ground search, lost person behavior, basic life support skills, backcountry rescue, and high angle rescue, as well as providing preventative search and rescue programs for groups and members of the public. WRT is a member of the Maine Association for Search and Rescue (MASAR) and is affiliated with Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency to provide wilderness search and rescue services to the Cumberland County.

Mission: Our mission is to provide search, technical rescue, and medical services in wilderness areas.
Training: All members of WRT work towards and become certified as a Search Team Member through MASAR. Team members can also become certified as a Technical Specialist or in Wilderness First Aid. WRT members train year round with monthly meetings/skills training once a month. During the summer, members travel to Baxter State Park to train and serve as the on-duty SAR team for the park. Winter training sessions are also conducted at Mount Katahdin, focusing on winter weather skills.

Key Responsibilities:
• Emergency Response: Rapidly deploying to locate and assist individuals in distress in wilderness areas.
• Training and Exercise: Regularly conducting training sessions and exercises to ensure team readiness and proficiency.
• Public Education: Offering workshops and outreach programs to educate the community and other partners on wilderness safety, preparedness, and WRTs mission.
• Collaboration: Partnering with local agencies, parks, and other organizations to enhance rescue operations and community safety.

Get Involved: We are always excited to meet new people who share in our passion and are eager to give back to their communities. No prior experience is needed!
Contact Us: For more information about the Wilderness Rescue Team, volunteer opportunities, or to support our efforts, please visit our website (https://wildernessrescue.org/) or our Facebook page.

Overview: The Wireless Society of Southern Maine Emergency Communications Team (WSSM-ECT) is a dedicated group of amateur radio operators and communication specialists committed to providing reliable communication support during emergencies and disasters. Our team plays a vital role in ensuring that information flows seamlessly, even when traditional communication infrastructure fails.

Mission: The mission of the Wireless Society of Southern Maine Emergency Communications Team is to serve the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, and the community in general, by providing emergency communications assistance, conducting programs and training, promoting radio knowledge and individual operating efficiency, and to conduct activities to advance general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio as a viable and efficient means of communications support.

Activities:
• Emergency communications support
• Communications support for planned events
• Communications planning
• WSSM Monthly Meetings (2nd Thursday of the month)
• Meeting on the Air (3rd Thursday of the month)
• WSSM-ECT Meeting (4th Thursday of the month)
• Parks on the Air
• Summits on the Air
• Field Days
• And more!!

Get Involved: WSSM brings together both new and experienced operators alike to share in the enjoyment of amateur radio, and encourages improvement in all the various phases of the hobby, including public service potential, operating ability, courtesy, and technical proficiency. Membership is open to all persons interested in radio communications. There is NO requirement to be licensed and no prior experience is needed! For more information about the WSSM-ECT, membership, Ham Radio, meetings, and more, visit our website (http://www.ws1sm.com/) or email mainehamradio@gmail.com.