DEM Reserve Program

Following an incident or event, spontaneous volunteers often show up at various locations offering their services.  Though well intentioned, untrained volunteers can often be a burden on relief operations, using up crucial resources and time for training and management.  However, a trained volunteer can immediately help their community and citizens in an effective manner.   

The Division of Emergency Management Reserve Program is NDEM’s primary trained volunteer program. Trained reservists can be assigned to support the Nevada Operations Center (NVOC), field operations, Auxiliary Communications (Auxcomm) amateur radio operator or as a deployed liaison officer to a local jurisdiction during and after a major incident or event.  Cross training between different skills and positions is highly encouraged.  Between incidents and events, Reserve personnel have the opportunity to attend training classes and exercises to improve their emergency management knowledge and skills. 

Nevada Operations Center (NVOC)

Located in the National Guard compound in Carson City, the NVOC is the centralized location of emergency and recovery support during incidents and events requiring its activation for the state of Nevada.  The NVOC does not manage on-scene tactical operations, it supports those operations through coordination, planning, resource support, communications and recovery support.  The NVOC utilizes a hybrid Incident Command System (ICS) structure divided into four sections:  Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance.  Reserve personnel will have the opportunity to train and operate in one or more of these sections. 

Field Operations

Reserve Personnel may also assist state or local agencies in the field if they choose. These tasks might include traffic control, shelter operations, transportation/delivery of staff/resources or other duties needed by local jurisdictions.   

Liaison Officer

The Liaison Officer is embedded with an affected jurisdiction and is a direct conduit of information and assistance between on-scene personnel and the NVOC.  They serve as the NDEM representative and single point of contact with the jurisdiction they are assigned. 

Auxiliary Communications (Auxcomm) Certified Radio Operator

Auxcomm is the de facto certification level required by FEMA/CISA and other emergency management agencies. They are typically volunteer amateur radio communicators and provide various types of emergency communications in support of emergency management and public safety.  Auxcomm is a statewide program operating out of the NVOC in Carson City.  NDEM offers an established Auxcomm training and certification program for those interested.

Minimum Training (Non-Auxcomm)

  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
  • Completion of the latest version of IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800 Independent Study Courses.

Additional general and specialized training will be continuously offered and made available as well as participation in exercises.

Auxcomm Qualifications 

  • An amateur radio license
  • Completion of an Auxcomm class
  • Sponsorship of a local jurisdiction
  • Completion of the latest version of IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800 Independent Study Courses
  • Past experience in auxiliary emergency communications

Additional general and specialized training will be continuously offered and made available as well as participation in exercises.

For additional information, please contact Eric Wilson, Resource Management Supervisor, at 775-687-0386 or erwilson@dem.nv.gov