Volunteer

(Applications may also be printed and submitted at any meeting or event)

Become a Rated Volunteer

Confused about what that means?  Click here.
(More volunteer opportunities below)
Rated volunteers have the highest standards and sometimes toughest requirements, including having to adhere to certain hygiene and appearance requirements and the Code of Conduct, but they also have the most opportunities for advancement and service.  Rated volunteers have four options for membership based on their availability and level of commitment:

  • Active Duty Rated volunteers have the most stringent requirements and start out serving an initial three month probationary period, but then have the option of transferring to any active unit that has openings.  Active Duty personnel have the most mobility when it comes to assignment and promotion.

  • Reserve Rated volunteers are a middle ground between Active Duty and Free Agent.  Reserves have less stringent activeness requirements and serve in a reserve capacity, but can still join any specialty units that have a Reserve component.

  • Free Agents have the benefit of still being full Rated members of the Central Aid Agency, but do not have to adhere to as rigid activeness requirements and are not assigned to units.  Becoming a Free Agent is recommended for anyone interested in joining the Central Aid Agency as a Rated member but is concerned about meeting activeness requirements.  It is also a good role for people who want to join, but are uncertain of what unit to be a part of.
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  • Cadets are youth aged 14-21 who serve as junior Rated personnel.  Cadets have the ability to join supervised and structured Cadet units to gain valuable life experience and training, alongside regular Rated members.  ​ Cadets have opportunities to promote and develop leadership skills, and can transition to full C.A.A. membership when they age out of the Cadet Corps program.  Cadets complete the same application as regular Rated members, but check the box for a Cadet Application.

​The application process for Active Duty, Reserve, Free Agent, and Cadet Rated volunteers is the same for all four, just state on your application which you would like to be assigned to.  Assignments can be changed at any time upon request.
Membership applications can be turned in online, via email, or at any Sector Meeting

Become a CERT Volunteer

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers are not Rated, but do play an important part in our organization.  Trained in disaster response, they serve as an auxiliary to our Rapid Response Team units.
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Applications can be turned in online, via email, or at any meeting

Become an EMCOMM Volunteer

Like CERT volunteers, Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) volunteers are not typically Rated, but also have an important role.  Trained in amateur radio (ham) EMCOMM volunteers provide support for operations and serve as an auxiliary to our incident management units.
Applications can be turned in online. via email, or at any meeting

              Become an EMCOMM CERT Volunteer

EMCOMM CERT volunteers are CERTs who are cross-trained with EMCOMM as emergency communication operators. EMCOMM CERTs get the best of both worlds, they can be deployed as either regular CERTs or as emergency communications operators / technicians.  EMCOMM CERTs have some of the toughest requirements for Non-Rated personnel because of their cross training and dual roles.
Applications can be turned in online, via email, or at any meeting
Interested in more openings and opportunities?  Click here!

Want to get involved?

The Central Aid Agency relies on volunteers who donate their precious time and abilities to making our organization function.  We need people who are motivated to serve their communities and make a change in the world.

Joining up is easy and costs only $55.  All you have to do is fill out our membership form and pay the $55 apparel fee to cover the cost of initial apparel.  Beyond the one-time apparel fee, all equipment for your Primary Duty Assignment is issued to personnel and remains the property of the Central Aid Agency and must be returned upon leaving C.A.A. service.  Personnel may keep any uniforms or equipment they have personally purchased, such as those for any elective Additional Duty Assignments.

New members are sworn in by reciting the Oath of Service at a meeting, and start their service with a three month probationary period.  Once they have successfully completed their three month probationary period, they are free to apply for any open Primary Duty Assignment, depending on their specific duty status and whether or not the assignment has any openings.  Once they complete any required basic training, they will be assigned to a unit.
  
Can't make it to meetings?  That's okay too, through our Free Agent Program people the world over can join as full Rated members of the C.A.A.  Even if they don't live close enough to one of our Sectors to attend meetings and activities.  Contact us today for more information.

Can't join but you still want to support our cause?  Then you might want to consider making a financial donation, we are always in need of funds to help support our operations and activities.  All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated, thank you!

Not sure you want to join but still want to check us out?

That's okay too!  Our Sector Meetings and most Service Projects are open to everyone.  You don't even have to be a member, so check us out any time!

Benefits of joining

There are many benefits of joining the Central Aid Agency, far too many in fact to list them all here.  Below are just a few of the things you can expect as a member of the Central Aid Agency: 

  • 2 Uniform T-shirts
The most basic C.A.A. uniform, these 50% cotton 50% polyester uniform T-shirts have 'CENTRAL AID AGENCY' printed on the back, and come all ready with loop panels on the chest for your ID tapes and rank badge.

  • A complete set of ID tapes and a Rank Badge
Four ID tapes and a Rank Badge, hook-backed ready to be put on your uniform.  All of which is included in your one time apparel fee of $55.

  • Advanced training
The Central Aid Agency is a known for its skill and competency.  This comes from providing quality training to our personnel.  Some of the advanced training available to our members includes emergency and disaster response, and even professional certifications like security provider and CPR first aid.

  • Community service hours
If you are looking for a great way to earn community service hours for a school graduation or employment requirement, the C.A.A. is an excellent way to do that.  We conduct lots of service projects, community outreach evens, and response activities each year that all qualify for community service credit.

  • Because it's rewarding
We don't want to sugar coat it too much, serving in the Central Aid Agency isn't always fun and games.  At times it can be very demanding, both physically and mentally.  But getting to see the results of hard work pay off makes it all worth it in the end.  Whether it's helping to pick up trash off the beach, break down and recycle old electronics, or conducting rescue operations during a disaster; we make a real and tangible difference in the world.
"Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community.  There is no better feeling than being able to help someone in their time of need."

-Ben Bower, C.A.A. Executive Director