Volunteering with the Town of Gilbert

The COM251 Volunteer Program is an integral part of Gilbert Fire & Rescue's Community Risk Reduction efforts. Volunteers support the department in various ways, offering both operational and community assistance.

As a COM251 Volunteer, you may:

• Provide support at emergency scenes by providing comfort to displaced or non-injured residents, distributing snacks, water, and resource information, and assisting with transportation when needed.
• Promote home safety through smoke alarm installation and servicing, battery replacement, dust removal, and comprehensive system testing.
• Assist at community events such as public safety events, holiday drives, and outreach events.

Training Requirements and Commitment:

• 1.5 days of classroom instruction covering program orientation, radio use, MCT use, safety protocol, and service procedures.
• 1.5 hours of online training modules that reinforce additional training topics.
• Driver's training to operate town vehicles during service.
• CPR and Stop-the-Bleed certification to equip volunteers with essential lifesaving skills.

After completing training, volunteers are asked to serve a minimum of two 4-hour shifts each month. Shift coverage is available seven days a week, with three shift options offered daily:

• 08:00 to 12:00 MST
• 12:00 to 16:00 MST
• 16:00 to 20:00 MST

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age at the time of application
• Possess a valid Arizona driver's license
• Ability to lift and carry a 10ft ladder
• Must pass a background check and drug screen

We are Always Accepting Applications

Volunteer orientation classes for the COM251 program are held three times a year in April, July, and October. While applications are accepted year-round, those submitted between sessions will be held for review and considered for the next class. When the next session begins, applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with the program coordinator.

Join a compassionate, action-oriented team making a real impact in Gilbert. Apply today to become a COM251 Volunteer!

Volunteer Chaplains provide support to department personnel by being present during traumatic incidents and debriefings.

They also assist Gilbert residents in the event of a large-scale incident or in crisis situations, when requested.

Requirements

A Volunteer Chaplain must:

• Pass the Gilbert PD background investigation.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Be ordained by a recognized denominational or religious body.
• Have formal education in a theological field.
• Have a minimum of three years of ministry, counseling, or related social service.
• Have the endorsement of church or ecclesiastical superior for service.
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift/carry twenty pounds.

Qualifications

• Trained by an accredited theological seminary or religious institution.
• Commissioned, licensed, or ordained by a recognized faith, denomination, or religious body.
• Affiliation in good standing with a local congregation.
• Demonstration of successful experience in pastoral counseling and crisis intervention.
• Valid Arizona driver's license.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Chaplains work closely with the Peer Support & Wellness Team, CISM, and Counseling/Crisis Support Unit Volunteers.
• Chaplains provide counsel for department personnel and their families.
• Visit sick or injured officers and department personnel in their home or in hospital.
• Assist with death notifications.
• Provide assistance to victims.
• Lead the invocation/benediction at department functions as well as ceremonies related to the Town.

Daily Expectations

• Chaplains report to the Peer Support & Wellness sergeant. When responding to an incident they will report to an on-scene sergeant/lieutenant.
• Chaplains are provided a uniform for daily wear and a class A uniform for formal events.
• Chaplains are on-call for department needs all day, every day; Chaplains have the right to decline if they are unavailable.
• Chaplains are provided training opportunities and association memberships.

Gilbert Citizens on Patrol volunteers assist officers at traffic accidents providing help as needed. They patrol neighborhoods and businesses, provide motorist assistance, patrol special events, and are available for call-outs to major incidents. 

Requirements

A Gilbert Citizens on Patrol (GCOP) Volunteer must:

• Pass the Gilbert PD background investigation.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Carry personal automobile insurance.

Qualifications

GCOP training must be successfully completed, this includes:

• 15 hours of classroom training
  • Safety
  • Radio use and police codes
  • Overview of driver safety, traffic laws, and Gilbert statutes
  • Computer software training
  • Gilbert landmarks
    • Schools, churches, shopping & entertainment centers
• 60 hours of patrol training
  • Safety
  • Overview of traffic control and traffic patterns
  • Mapping
  • Assisting at accident scenes
  • Motorist assist
  • Abandoned vehicle
  • Vacation watch/special patrol 
  • Gilbert landmarks and seasonal traffic
• Driver Training
  • Vehicle operation
  • Maneuvering
  • Accident avoidance
  • Using lights and horn
• Testing occurs throughout the training process

Responsibilities and Duties

GCOP Volunteers:

• Always adhere to safety protocols and follow state and local traffic laws
• Report to two designated patrol officers
• Are supervised by sworn personnel when in the field
• Provide supplemental vacation watch patrols
• Patrol neighborhoods, schools, churches, shopping & entertainment centers
• Patrol parking lots for vehicles parking in handicap spaces without proper signage, and provide information to the driver
• Respond to accident scenes and assist with traffic flow and diversion, and other tasks when requested

Daily Expectations

• GCOP Volunteers wear their complete uniform while doing their duties
  • Uniform and personal appearance shall be clean and neat
• A vehicle inspection will be done before and after patrolling
• Necessary paperwork will be completed before and after patrolling
• GCOP Volunteers are encouraged to engage with Gilbert citizens, providing assistance when asked
• Injuries or accidents are reported immediately

Volunteers attend community events, and provide information and resources to residents about safety and preventing crime. 

Events include safety fairs, school and church functions, Town events, and emergency preparedness. 

Requirements

A Crime Prevention Volunteers must:

• Pass the Gilbert PD background investigation.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Carry personal automobile insurance.
• Be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Be able to lift/carry twenty pounds.

Qualifications

• Crime Prevention Volunteers are trained by the Crime Prevention Unit or Lead Volunteers.

Responsibilities and Duties

Crime Prevention Volunteers:

• Always adhere to safety protocols and follow state and local traffic laws
• Communicate with the Crime Prevention Unit to ensure understanding of event locations and times
• Must always arrive to events early so setup can be completed before the event starts
• Speak with residents and community members about safety and preventing crime

We are not currently seeking additional Crime Prevention Unit Volunteers. 

Volunteers provide on-scene support to victims of traumatic events or crime, at the request of the police or fire department. They respond to provide compassionate assistance and resources during events such as a death or death notification, traffic accident, or family violence incident.

Requirements

A Crisis Support Unit (CSU) Volunteer must:

• Pass the Gilbert PD background investigation.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift/carry twenty pounds. 

Qualifications

CSU training must be successfully completed, this includes:

• Seven 2-hour training sessions:
  • Orientation to CSU Volunteering
    • Safety
    • Preparing for and responding to a crisis call-out
    • Resource materials
  • Family dynamics
  • Death and suicide
  • Death notification
  • Grief
  • Victims of Crime
  • Emotional care
  • Communicating
  • Scenarios
• Three crisis call-outs with a PD Counselor or Lead CSU

Responsibilities and Duties

CSU Volunteers:

• Always adhere to safety protocols
• Report to the Counseling Manager
• Are supervised by sworn personnel when on-scene
• Arrive at crisis scene within 30 minutes of dispatch
• Provide compassionate support and information to victims
• Provide and explain resources
• Sign-up for at least four 6-hour shifts per month
• Attend team meetings

Daily Expectations

• CSU Volunteers wear their complete uniform while doing their duties
  • Uniform and personal appearance shall be clean and neat
• Compassionate interaction between CSU and victims
• Necessary paperwork will be completed after a crisis call-out

Volunteers are needed to assist Gilbert residents who, due to limited financial resources and/or physical limitations are needing assistance with some basic household services. Projects can include assistance with light yardwork, removal of boxes and bags for donations, help with trash and recycling, or changing lightbulbs, air filters, smoke detector batteries, and more. 

This opportunity is offered four (4) times per year - September, November, January, and April.

Learn more here