Volunteer Candidacy

This section describes qualifications for prospective PBEM volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

In order to be eligible as a PBEM volunteer and maintain active status with PBEM, an Applicant must satisfy the following minimum program qualifications:

1. Residency: a volunteer must reside, work, play, worship, or attend an institute of learning in Portland or in a municipality adjacent to Portland (e.g. Gresham, unincorporated Washington County, etc);
2. Age: an Applicant must be at least 14 years of age. If younger than age 18, the Applicant must obtain and present written parental consent to train and participate as a volunteer or present documentation of legal emancipation.
3. Registration: Applicant must register in the PBEM volunteer database and sign the volunteer Code of Conduct as part of the registration process. Special accommodation will be made for Applicants who have limited access to the Internet.

Persons with Disabilities

Everyone has a part in emergency preparedness and response, and no application to Portland NET will be denied on the basis of any physical or cognitive disability. 11% of PBEM's volunteers self-identify as a person with a physical or cognitive disability.

In order to ensure equal access to the NET program, PBEM will reasonably modify policies and procedures and provide auxiliary aids and services to persons with disabilities.

Candidacy Considerations

If space is limited in Basic NET training, PBEM will consider prioritizing applications from Applicants who meet any one of the following conditions:

1. Is a member of a community or resides in a neighborhood underserved by the NET program or City of Portland services generally; or
2. Possesses a skill or skills relevant to NET responsibilities; and/or
3. Is recommended to the program by a fellow NET volunteer.

Criminal Background

Redirect to main article: Criminal Background

CERT Training from Agencies Other Than PBEM

If an Applicant has completed CERT training and received certification from an agency other than PBEM, PBEM will accept that training in lieu of Basic NET training if:

• The training requirements of the CERT program are comparable to that of Portland NET.
• The Applicant presents proof or adequate documentation of the training and certification to PBEM staff.

A volunteer coming in from an outside agency, however, will still need to complete or demonstrate training in any Basic NET topics not offered in Basic CERT. In most cases, this includes:

• Unit 0 (introductory unit)
• Unit 1 (concerning Portland-specific hazards and preparedness)
• Unit 2 (since Portland NET does not do operations the same way CERT does)
• Unit 9 (radio communications).

PBEM staff have the discretion to accept or waive any training requirements for new volunteers.