Joining ERT SAR
For a Humanitarian Organisation and a Charity that may deal with vulnerable sector persons, there is a known requirement to follow a screening and process before Full Membership is achieved. As a specialist Medical and Rescue Disaster Response organisation, there is also a requirement to ensure that our Operational Members are trained up, whatever their backgrounds.
As a Charity Founded in England in 2002 we submitted these standards to the Charity Commission upon our application and stated this on our "Regulations" and "Standard Operating Procedures" (or SOPs. We are presently on Version 9.) This way our partners, supporters and coordinators like the United Nations, World Health Organisation, Police and Crown Agencies, Fire and Ambulance Services, local Councils, etc. know that they are dealing with Professionals: in what we do (albeit unpaid ones.)
This is no different for members in Canada or anywhere they join. Once initially screened and signed off on all foundation areas of selection, the "applicant" or "provisional member" is then submitted to HQ for consideration to be a Full Member.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
So the public and our partners is assured our process is thorough, this is an example of our criteria for membership.
As per SOP Version 9 and other recruiting and training documents, when you apply and get through the initial selection you start as an "Applicant" and move through to a "Provisional member" there is a process to follow. (These may change from time to time but for the most part it has not.)
During your pipeline to "Operational Membership" you will still be able to get your Membership Certificate, your uniform, your kit and come out to general training and events. You can even start to specialise to train with the Rescue Section, Marine Unit, Medics etc.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Many take a year or so or regular training and sign offs to get to Full Member, some longer. However some Applicants have taken as little at 4 or 5 months to complete this!
As per SOP V9. P96 to P98, example Full Member requirements include but is not limited to:-
Once these have been satisfied, your "sign off" sheets and member files are forwarded to our HQ (Recruiting and Training) for consideration and before final sign off and Fully Operational Membership approval is awarded.
As a Charity Founded in England in 2002 we submitted these standards to the Charity Commission upon our application and stated this on our "Regulations" and "Standard Operating Procedures" (or SOPs. We are presently on Version 9.) This way our partners, supporters and coordinators like the United Nations, World Health Organisation, Police and Crown Agencies, Fire and Ambulance Services, local Councils, etc. know that they are dealing with Professionals: in what we do (albeit unpaid ones.)
This is no different for members in Canada or anywhere they join. Once initially screened and signed off on all foundation areas of selection, the "applicant" or "provisional member" is then submitted to HQ for consideration to be a Full Member.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
So the public and our partners is assured our process is thorough, this is an example of our criteria for membership.
As per SOP Version 9 and other recruiting and training documents, when you apply and get through the initial selection you start as an "Applicant" and move through to a "Provisional member" there is a process to follow. (These may change from time to time but for the most part it has not.)
During your pipeline to "Operational Membership" you will still be able to get your Membership Certificate, your uniform, your kit and come out to general training and events. You can even start to specialise to train with the Rescue Section, Marine Unit, Medics etc.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Many take a year or so or regular training and sign offs to get to Full Member, some longer. However some Applicants have taken as little at 4 or 5 months to complete this!
As per SOP V9. P96 to P98, example Full Member requirements include but is not limited to:-
- An Adult Aged 18 to 70 years old
- Completion of a Membership Application
- Attendance of a Selection Interview / Meeting
- Payment of £40 / $75 Application / Joining Fee
- Payment of £60 / $75 Annual Membership Payment
- Provision of 2 Written References
- Vulnerable sector Police / Enhanced CRB / DBS check
- Minimum of 10 training and attendance Sessions
- Medical / Fitness Screening / Pass Fitness Test
- Pass / Signed Off at least 3 uniform inspections in full uniform
- Pass / Signed Off at least 3 kit inspections including belt and grab bag
- Maintain good coms and responsiveness / replies etc.
- Maintains an up-to-date member profile on the TeamApp
- Contributes positively to the team and the activities
- Successful Completion of training modules including online
- Successful Completion of the OTC (Operational Training Course) weekend
- Successful Completion of the OTC2 (Sign Off Sheets / Logs)
- Successful Completion of the online SOP test / OTC Sheets
Once these have been satisfied, your "sign off" sheets and member files are forwarded to our HQ (Recruiting and Training) for consideration and before final sign off and Fully Operational Membership approval is awarded.
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When that's approved you can be proud to know that you have joined a long and special cadre of ERT SAR Members!