Skills required to be a volunteer

The role and skills of the Civil Defence Corps are wide and varied, and are constantly improving in a structured training programme.

Skills required include:

1. DRIVING: All Corps members to hold car driving licences with a programme leading to HGV licences for five. All drivers to hold MIDAS or FMT 600 certification for driving minibuses together with Public Passenger Vehicle licences. All Corps members to have basic mechanical and safety awareness of the vehicles they may drive including pre-driving routine checks, ability to change a wheel and to fit snow chains. Selected drivers to undertake additional training in off-road driving of 4WD vehicles.
2. FIRST AID: All Corps members to hold Public First Aid or First Aid at Work certificates and to undergo six-monthly validation of CPR techniques. To be familiar with the use of the various specialised stretchers and first aid equipment available to Civil Defence.
3. COMMUNICATIONS: All Corps members to be well versed in the field and base operation (including maintaining logs) of CD communications equipment (telephone, fax, TETRA, PMR, satellite and mobile phones.) Periodic radio communications support to the dangerous motor-sports events, to ensure an adequate level of experience in rapid, accurate message passing. Selected Corps members to have marine VHF operators licence and/or Radio Amateur licences. Selected Corps members to be trained in MAGIC use of Government e-mail system.
4. HILL SEARCH AND RESCUE: All Corps members to be proficient in basic map-reading and navigation skills including use of compass, GPS and recognised search techniques. This training to be periodically validated by RAF Mountain Rescue. Selected Corps members to undertake Search Management training.
5. GENERATORS AND LIGHTING: All Corps members to be trained in the safe and efficient operation and maintenance, under all conditions, of electrically generated lighting. The development and upgrading of emergency stocks of lighting equipment to meet local needs.
6. FLOOD RESPONSE: All Corps members to be trained in basic domestic salvage techniques and the safe use and maintenance of powered water pumps, floor drying equipment and filling and use of sandbags.
7. EMERGENCY FEEDING: Selected Corps members are to be trained in the setting up and operation of Emergency Feeding Centres and the rapid provision of hot drinks and light meals at any location. All Corps members involved in such activities are to undertake a basic food handling and hygiene course.
8. EVACUATION, WELFARE AND REST CENTRES: All Corps members are to be familiar with Police Evacuation procedures and capable of operating in an appropriately supportive role, with particular reference to the setting up and running of Evacuation Centres in terms of the Government Emergency plans. All Corps members to be familiar with CD’s emergency welfare stocks, the erection of the CD “air tent” and the precautions to be taken in the use of space heaters.
9. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR (CBRN) MONITORING: All Corps members to be trained to act in support of the Government Analyst in the taking, recording and transmission of CBRN incident measurements. Selected Corps members to be trained in basic NATO fall-out calculations. Selected Corps members to be trained to support the emergency services if necessary for mass decontamination. Assistance with the emergency distribution of stockpiled items.
10. MANPOWER: To provide the Emergency Planning Officer with initial support for setting up and running an Emergency Control Centre to facilitate Government’s coordinating role in the management of an emergency. General assistance to Government Departments in time of emergency for the movement of personnel, and equipment or such other assistance as can be given. Assistance with exercises designed to test emergency preparedness and planning.