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​CARES Team

 

The CARES Team is a community-based, all volunteer, cadre of health professionals that provide comfort and support to patients, families, and caregivers that goes beyond the role and capacity of front-line fire-rescue crews.  CARES Team volunteers respond to limited call types (i.e., falls without injury and on-scene deaths) to further evaluate the scene situation, evaluate the level of intervention needed, and engage in patient and family empathy, support, and education.  CARES Team volunteers receive training in emotional first aid, fall intervention, and resource provision.

The CARES Team provides:

Comfort – the CARES Team provides emotional first aid on the scene of a 9-1-1 call in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue to support caregivers, families, and bystanders.

Assistance – the CARES Team addresses the crisis needs of caregivers, families, and bystanders on the scenes of assigned 9-1-1 call types.

Resources – the CARES Team provides an empowering on-scene resource connection to healthcare providers, agencies, organizations, and community partners.

Empathy – the CARES Team walks through an emergency with caregivers, families, and bystanders by relating to their emotions in the moment.

Safety Net – the CARES Team serves as a safety net of crisis support and a resource bridge to meet the unique needs of caregivers, families, and bystanders during a 9-1-1 event.​


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Interested in being a CARES Team volunteer?

Eligibility Requirements:  CARES Team volunteers must possess the following qualifications to serve on the Team:

  • Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older;
  • Possess a valid Florida Driver's License;
  • Possess an active e-mail account, and a cellular telephone with an active service contract that supports texting and receiving calls;
  • Possess a degree, license, or certificate in a health profession[1] (e.g., nurse, physician, social worker, paramedic, EMT, physical therapist, etc.), or be actively pursuing a degree or certificate in a health profession; and
  • Pass both a driving and criminal background check.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

  • Volunteers should be empathetic, have basic computer skills, and be comfortable working with all age groups and populations.
  • In order to effectively perform assigned duties, volunteers must be capable of standing, walking, and moving for extended periods of time; possess sufficient strength and flexibility to complete basic physical tasks; and demonstrate the ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds (i.e., “Go Bag") safely and consistently.  Volunteers should maintain a level of fitness that allows for reliable and safe volunteer service.
  • Volunteers should be able to commit to a minimum of eight (8) hours of volunteer time per month and to attending regular monthly Team meetings, either in-person or virtually.
  • Volunteers should be comfortable with being an observer of potential situations that may involve graphic injuries and death. Volunteers receive training related to these scenarios including universal precautions, personal protective measures, and support as needed.
  • Volunteers should be comfortable riding in a vehicle.

 

Volunteers will be screened and interviewed for acceptance as a member of the CARES Team.  Upon successful completion of background investigation, health screening, and driver history review, volunteers will be enrolled in an orientation, and undertake a field-based Task Book training program.

 

Take the next step – become a CARES Team volunteer today!​

Join the CARES Team and be the difference our community needs. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!



[1] Or be retired from a successful career in a healthcare discipline, however, the candidate must show proof of degree, licensure, and/or certification.  Lapsed or expired credentials may be accepted, however, the candidate must have retired in good professional standing.


Contact Us

Complete our online application 

https://bit.ly/4097YfB

Questions? E-mail us

Fire-CARES@pbc.gov ​