KCEST is the parent organization responsible for managing several programs, including Search and Rescue, RACES/Auxiliary/ARES Communications, Skywarn (Severe Weather Spotters), the Medical Reserve Corps, and CERT. These programs collaborate with the Office of Emergency Management in Kent County. KCEST is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
All Full Members are required to complete the full application process, pass a comprehensive background check, and meet the training and operational standards of their assigned unit. This is not a casual volunteer opportunity. If you’re ready to make a real commitment, we want to hear from you.
- Requirements — Read Before Applying
- Application Process (Steps 1–6)
- Available Positions — What Each Role Does
Available Positions — What Each Role Does
Before applying, review the available positions below. When you’re ready, the application is located at kcest.respondertrack.com/apply.
Search and Rescue (SAR)
Search and Rescue (SAR) is a volunteer operational unit dedicated to locating and assisting missing or endangered individuals in wilderness, urban, and disaster environments. SAR team members are full KCEST members and are required to pass a complete background check. Members operate in physically and mentally demanding conditions, using navigation, search tactics, and teamwork within a structured chain of command. Participation requires a strong commitment to training, readiness, and the ability to respond to callouts — often in challenging conditions and extended durations.
This position is for Full KCEST Membership (separate from associate membership).
Full Member — SAR Ground Team
Conducts field search operations to locate missing or endangered persons using navigation, tracking, and search tactics. Works in the field under a structured team environment and must be physically capable of sustained operations in challenging conditions. All SAR applicants begin here before being eligible for specialty units.
Full Member — SAR Support Team
Provides operational support during SAR missions including logistics, staging, communications assistance, and coordination. Ensures teams in the field have the resources and coordination needed to operate effectively, focusing on keeping missions organized and running efficiently rather than direct search work.
K9 Unit
Full Member — K9 Handler
Deploys and manages a trained search dog to locate subjects using scent detection. Responsible for the K9’s training, certification, and care while integrating into SAR operations. This role requires a high level of commitment, consistent training, and significant time investment to remain operational. Must complete all basic Ground Team training requirements before applying for K9 unit assignment.
Full Member — K9 Flanker (K9 Support)
Supports K9 search operations in the field by assisting handlers with safety, positioning, logistics, and field coordination. Helps optimize K9 team effectiveness without directly handling a dog, requiring a solid understanding of SAR operations and K9 search fundamentals.
K9 Training Helper — Hider/Subject (Non-Member Role)
Assists K9 handlers by acting as the subject during training exercises, hiding in various environments to help develop and test the dog’s search and scenting abilities. This role is essential for building reliable K9 performance and requires the ability to follow instructions, remain concealed for periods of time, and operate safely in outdoor conditions. This is not a full KCEST operational role but is critical to K9 team development.
Are you physically able to hike, conceal yourself for extended periods, and operate safely in outdoor environments during training exercises? If yes, we’d love your help.
Sign Up as a K9 Training Helper →
Apply for SAR → | SAR FAQ | K9 Unit FAQ
Communications Unit
Full Member — Communications Team Member
Provides emergency communications support across multiple environments, including the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), field operations, shelters, and hospitals. Responsible for maintaining reliable communication systems during incidents and must be able to operate in fast-paced, high-stress environments. Members must meet technical training standards and complete baseline training before requesting assignment to specialty communications units or facilities.
SKYWARN
KCEST SKYWARN team members are fully integrated KCEST members — not external spotters or net control operators. If you are looking to register as an external SKYWARN spotter only or external net control only, this is not the correct application; please register through the appropriate external SKYWARN or amateur radio program.
Full Member — Internal SKYWARN Team Member
Monitors and reports severe weather conditions to support real-time situational awareness and public safety. As a fully qualified KCEST member, may operate in the Emergency Operations Center and is held to the same training and operational standards as the Communications Unit, ensuring accurate reporting and coordination during weather-related incidents.
Apply for SKYWARN → | SKYWARN FAQ
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
The Medical Reserve Corps supports public health and medical response efforts during emergencies, disasters, and community events. Members may include both licensed medical providers and non-medical personnel who work together to deliver care, assist with shelter operations, and support public health initiatives. Licensed providers operate within their scope of practice to provide medical care and triage, while support members handle logistics, patient tracking, and administrative functions. All MRC members operate within an organized response structure, contributing to efficient and coordinated emergency operations.
When applying, please indicate which MRC role applies to you:
- I am a licensed medical provider
- I am a non-licensed support member
- I am signing up for Kent County MRC Pool Membership — Available for potential activation but not required to meet full KCEST operational or training standards.
- I am applying for Full Active KCEST MRC Membership — Full operational commitment with all associated training and deployment expectations.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Full Member — CERT Team Member
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members support emergency response efforts by assisting with basic disaster response tasks such as light search and rescue, fire safety, medical aid, and community support operations. Full CERT Team Members are trained volunteers who operate within an organized structure, support professional responders, and help increase community preparedness and resilience during emergencies.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
ARES supports emergency communications using amateur radio systems when standard communications infrastructure is degraded or unavailable. ARES operators work alongside EOC and field operations to maintain reliable communication during disasters and large-scale incidents. This role is ideal for licensed amateur radio operators or individuals willing to obtain their amateur radio license. ARES works in coordination with KCEST’s Communications Unit and serves as a critical backup communications resource for Kent County emergency management.
Requirements — Read Before Applying
#1) Read this first. If you feel you fit, scroll down to Step 1.
Potential Team Member Requirements
- Good Moral Character: Demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior both on and off duty.
- Clean Criminal History: Due to the sensitive nature of our work, all team members must have a clean criminal history. Our team members undergo extensive background checks to ensure they can access sensitive and secure locations.
- No Major Moving Violations: Within the last 10 years.
- Valid Michigan Driver’s License: And a reliable car/truck to get to meetings, training, and responses in a timely manner carrying needed equipment.
- Age Requirement: Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Willingness to Participate in Training: Regular participation in scheduled training sessions for the primary unit.
- Proficiency in Required Knowledge: Willingness to become proficient in the knowledge needed to respond safely.
- Good Decision-Making: Must make good choices on and off duty.
- Physical Fitness: Each unit has their own requirements. (This is only an example of requirements.)
- SAR Field Team members (including K9 handlers): Must be capable of handling physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, carrying, or moving heavy objects or people, and moving swiftly over uneven terrain in potentially hazardous, stressful, and austere environments.
- SAR Support: Must be able to function independently in various potentially hazardous scenes, navigate uneven terrain, and safely enter and exit the communications trailer in dark, wet, cold, or hot conditions during a variety of incidents.
- Comms Unit: Must be able to function independently in a variety of locations, including offices, Emergency Operations Centers, trailers, shelters, and hospitals. Must handle noisy, stressful, uncomfortable, and hectic environments, and be capable of stepping up steps and walking up and down stairs in various emergency situations.
- Ability/Willingness to Take Multiple Training Activities Within Allotted Time: All members are required to participate in both internal and external training. Some of these training activities are free, while others may have a cost, to ensure proficiency in responding to various incidents.
- Strong Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication and the ability to work well in a team.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to quickly assess and respond to complex and evolving emergency situations.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Ability to work in varied conditions and adapt to sudden changes in the environment or situation.
- Time Commitment: You need to have time to volunteer.
- Commitment to Service: Willingness to serve the community without recognition or reimbursement. We expect our team members to be quiet professionals, not boastful or seeking recognition.
- Environment: Must be able to work in high-stress and hazardous environments.
- Confidentiality: Ability to keep confidential information on incidents.
- Ego-Free: Able to leave your ego at the door.
- Judgment-Free: We do not care who we help. We just answer the call as long as the mission can be performed safely and we are authorized to respond by our served agency, KCSO.
These qualifications ensure that volunteers are prepared to handle the responsibilities and challenges of emergency response effectively and safely. If you think you have what it takes, please move on to the next steps.
Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Application
Required Documents: Complete all necessary application documents at kcest.respondertrack.com/apply. You will need to enter your name and email address, then check your email for further instructions. Progressing forward is not possible without completing these documents. Please be thorough and honest. Missing information will result in disqualification.
Step 2: Initial Interview and Screening
We conduct an initial interview and screening for all team members. This includes a 30–60 minute conversation about joining the team and a background check through the Michigan I-CHAT system to confirm information on your application before submitting it to KCSO for a more extensive background check.
Step 3: Approval by Office of OEM
The County conducts an extensive background check on all potential volunteers to work in secure areas of the Sheriff’s office. We receive a pass/fail result and do not have access to the specifics of your background check. The County may contact the volunteer directly to ask questions or discuss details, but more than likely, you will only be given a yes or no answer. Due to our relationship with the County and the level of access required, volunteers must pass this background check to become a member. This background check is very thorough and includes a reference check and fingerprinting. Potential members who pass this step will move forward to being offered a volunteer position.
Please note: If you omit something from your application and it is found during this background check, it will result in an instant failure.
Step 4: Assignment as a Probationary Member
Once all background checks and interviews are completed and you pass, you will be assigned as a probationary member of the team while we get to know you and allow you to complete initial training.
Step 5: Complete Initial Training
After completing your initial training, you will be assigned to your unit. You will report to a team leader on your progress and be evaluated during your probationary period.
You have 90 days to complete all initial training during your 6-month probationary period.
Step 6: Full Membership
Upon completing your 6-month probationary period, KCEST Leadership will review your application. If approved, you will be added to the team as a full member.
SAR Applicants
Approved SAR applicants will be assigned to a ground team or may apply to a specialty unit after completing all required Ground Team unit training requirements. To apply for the K9 Unit or request reassignment to a specialty unit, you must complete all basic ground training requirements.
Communications Unit Applicants
Approved Communications Unit applicants must complete all basic training requirements before requesting assignment to specialty communications units or facilities.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with KCEST!