Get Involved, How to Help During A Disaster

Helping In Times of Need

There are many ways to get involved, especially before an emergency or a disaster occurs. Scroll through the opportunities below to learn how you can get started helping your community before the next emergency happens.

Volunteer Opportunities

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Humboldt Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Complete the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and become part of a CERT team in your neighborhood. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing first responders to focus on more complex tasks. 

To find out more about CERT teams in Humboldt County, visit the Humboldt CERT Coalition website at: https://www.humboldtcert.com/ 

A male volunteer participates in the Auxillary Communication sTeam

Humboldt County Auxiliary Communications Team (AuxComm)

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services’ Auxiliary Communications Team, or AuxComm Team, is a volunteer team of local amateur radio operators who can be activated during an emergency incident where normal methods of communication are disrupted. The mission of the Auxcomm is to provide communications support to the County of Humboldt with affiliated Disaster Service Worker Volunteers (DSWV) experienced in auxiliary communications under the direction and authority of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services.

During and after disasters, amateur radio operators set up and operate organized communication networks to assist local governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster.



Sheriff's Search and Rescue Posse members stand in front of a rescue vehicle

Humboldt County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Posse


The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Posse is an all  volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Sheriff’s legal function to protect life and property in Humboldt County.

Responsibilities of the Posse include:

  • Searching for lost or missing persons.
  • Evacuating ill or injured persons from areas not accessible by conventional means.
  • Removing deceased persons from areas not accessible by conventional means.
  • Assisting the Sheriff’s Department with other assigned duties.

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Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)

The Humboldt Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) develops and enhances partnerships for communication, coordination and collaboration within our whole community, including businesses, tribes, non-profit and faith-based organizations, and government agencies before, and throughout a disaster, including prevention, mitigation, protection, preparedness, response and recovery. 

If your organization is interested in getting involved with Humboldt COAD, please email Alison Sterling Nichols at alison@humboldtcoad.org.

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American Red Cross California Gold Country Region

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services partners with the American Red Cross to provide sheltering services during disasters. From serving meals to disaster victims to helping with blood drives, American Red Cross volunteers contribute throughout our community. Volunteers teach CPR, help communities prepare for disaster and recover from the aftermath, and much more.


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Northern California Community Blood Bank

The Northern California Community Blood Bank (NCCBB) is the sole provider of blood components to the hospitals of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In order to meet the needs of victims and patients during, and immediately following a mass casualty event, it is vitally important that an adequate blood supply is maintained every day. 

Blood Donation is Preparedness!