BEARS is one of more than 20 volunteer teams at Bainbridge Prepares. It works with community groups to understand their communication needs in a disaster and builds equipment, procedures and training to meet them. The team is activated after a large incident that disrupts, or threatens to disrupt, everyday communications.
It also trains residents to use alternative systems such as ham radio and supports the island’s Disaster Hubs.
Volunteers serve through the program, not on their own: register as an emergency worker through the sponsoring agency before you help in an emergency.