Volunteer Requirements

The Disaster Response Alliance (DRA) maintains a single, national database of skilled volunteers willing to assist with response and recovery activities. These activities include post-disaster safety assessments, rapid safety assessments, detailed safety assessments, other building damage assessments, inspections and other code-related functions in the aftermath of a disaster.

The most basic requirement is a desire to help. If you have a specialized skill, knowledge or ability that could be useful, we invite you to fill out a profile. If you are a certified professional architect, engineer or other building safety professional, your skills and experience are greatly needed and appreciated.

Some job functions are often in high demand after a disaster. Follow this link to a Disaster Specific Classification Matrix.

Below is a list of certifications for which there is a need. If you would like to volunteer and are in need of a certification or additional training, the DRA has provided information on our Get Training page. 

 

  • Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
  • Building Plans Examiner
  • Certified Building Official
  • Certified Fire Marshal
  • Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician
  • Commercial Building Inspector
  • Commercial Electrical Inspector
  • Commercial Energy Inspector
  • Commercial Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1
  • Commercial Energy Plans Examiner
  • Commercial Fire Alarm Inspector
  • Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner
  • Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner II
  • Commercial Fire Sprinkler Inspector
  • Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans Examiner
  • Commercial Mechanical Inspector
  • Commercial Plumbing Inspector
  • Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector
  • Electrical Plans Examiner
  • Fire Inspector
  • Fire Inspector II
  • Fire Plans Examiner
  • Fuel Gas Inspector
  • Green Building - Residential Examiner
  • IgCC Inspector/Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 189
  • Mechanical Plans Examiner
  • Permit Technician
  • Plumbing Plans Examiner
  • Pre-engineered Industrial Fire Extinguishing System Technician
  • Pre-engineered Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System Technician
  • Prestressed Concrete Special Inspector
  • Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
  • Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector
  • Residential Building Inspector
  • Residential Electrical Inspector
  • Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner
  • Residential Fire Sprinkler Inspector/Plans Examiner
  • Residential Mechanical Inspector
  • Residential Plans Examiner
  • Residential Plumbing Inspector
  • Soils Special Inspector
  • Spray-applied Fireproofing Special Inspector
  • Structural Masonry Special Inspector
  • Structural Steel and Bolting Special Inspector
  • Structural Welding Special Inspector
  • When Disaster Strikes Institute Training Certificate
  • Zoning Inspector