How Individuals Can Volunteer with the NFR Team

NFR (National Field Response) looks for committed, qualified volunteers to help during various types of deployments supporting field rescue, crime scene processing, emergency medical care, and emergency sheltering.

Requirements for Applicants

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Ability to travel nationwide with little to no advance notice
• Ability to commit to a minimum of 7 consecutive days
• High levels of flexibility and professionalism
• Willingness to work flexible hours, long days, and weekends
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to cope with physically and mentally challenging work environment
• Ability to create and maintain a positive and collaborative work environment
• May be required to complete a background check and a motor vehicle report

• Starting January 2, 2023, the ASPCA will no longer require current or future responders to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Read the full update.

Applicants must also complete:

• FEMA IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• FEMA IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• FEMA IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
•  FEMA IS-11.A: Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
• Role-specific requirements and technical training as determined by each branch (e.g., Animal Search and Rescue, Slack Water Rescue, Forklift Certification, Animal Handling, etc.) 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete these disaster-related and ASPCA® animal-handling trainings:

• FEMA IS-111A: Livestock in Disasters
• FEMA IS-200: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action 
• FEMA IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• FEMA IS-5A: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials
• Human First Aid and CPR (American Red Cross)
• Introduction to Disaster Services (American Red Cross) 
• Gentle cat-handling techniques Part 1
• Gentle cat-handling techniques Part 2
• Gentle dog handling techniques
• Canine Communications webinar series
• Learning Lab Online Behavior Courses

Beneficial Skills

• CPR/First Aid
• Disaster services experience
• Animal handling experience
• Shelter operations experience

Deployment May Also Involve

• Working with and around animals, some fractious or diseased
• Exposures to zoonotic diseases (possible transmission to humans)
• Working in extreme hot or cold temperatures for long periods
• Wearing personal protective equipment for long periods
• Walking up to several miles over uneven terrain
• Standing, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds
   

For more details, visit our FAQ. Still have questions? Email us.