Volunteer

TECHNICAL RESCUE

Perhaps our most visible group, the Technical Rescue Team (TRT) trains with ropes and rescue gear to save companion animals and livestock. Everything from a dog’s on-the-trail injury to a horse that can’t get up, and much, much more, it the TRT with the expertise to save the day.

This team is physically the most challenging, but can also be immeasurably rewarding. WASART’s focus on training means you don’t need previous training or experience, but we do ask you to have a great attitude and be focused on safety. TRT members rely on their teammates to keep them safe in dangerous situations. At the end of the day, safety is our priority.

TECHNICAL WATER RESCUE

You might have noticed that we have a lot of water in Western Washington! The newest addition to WASART’s response ability is the Technical Water Rescue Team (TWRT). Members train regularly for rescue operations needing to take place in or around one of our many rivers or other bodies of water.

Once again, other than the ability to swim and a great safety-focused attitude, no previous training or equipment is required.

BASE & OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Maybe you don’t want to jump off a cliff or into a river. No problem! There’s much to be done at our deployments that don’t involve either. You can provide an invaluable service helping transport equipment, hauling on ropes, making sure everyone is hydrated & safe, managing communications, taking care of equipment, and much much more.

Working as Base & Operations Support doesn’t require the more technical skills of the technical teams. With a couple of classes and and basic vaccinations, you can be on the ground helping save lives, too.

COMMITTEES

There’s so much work that goes on in the background. You may not hear of it often, but it’s all critical to WASART’s operation and success.

WASART committees include

• Finance – We have income, we have expenses, and as a 501c3 non-profit, we track it all carefully. Our goal is to be good stewards of the financial resources our donors entrust us with.
• Fundraising – WASART is funded 100% by donations. In good times and and in bad, ensuring people know of us and have the opportunity to support our work is crucial.
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) – Technology has become an even more important part of our operation in recent years. From radio communications, to coordinated mobile apps, to our online presence, we leverage technology to help us whenever we can.
• Merchandising – Check out the WASART store! Those t-shirts, jackets, stickers and more, are all managed by our merchandising committee!
• Outreach – We’re often invited to attend other events such as safety fairs, emergency preparedness conventions, and even state and county fairs. This is a job for our Outreach Committee who manage staffing the table, providing materials, and answering questions from passers-by.
• Sheltering – WASART originally started as an organization ready to help shelter animals in the face of natural disasters such as wildfires or earthquake. The sheltering committee continues to manage this effort and stay prepared.
• Training – You might have noticed the word “training” mentioned repeatedly above. Perhaps our most important committee, training coordinates the training required of all members to deploy, to stay current, and to stay safe.
• Transport – With several equipment trailers as well as dedicated box trucks, WASART is always in need of — and ready to help train — individuals to bring our equipment to deployments, training events, outreach events, and more.
• Volunteer Management – WASART is 100% volunteer driven, and we value them all greatly.

Probably 75% of the work done within WASART is done behind the scenes by committees. Best of all, you can do much of the work from the comfort of your own home.