Florida State Guard Volunteers

Position Overview

The Florida State Guard (FSG) is a volunteer force that supports state and local partners in protecting Floridians during emergencies, disasters, and public safety events. FSG Volunteers serve across multiple specialized operational units, providing aviation, land-based, maritime, and special mission capabilities that strengthen statewide response efforts.

Volunteers may be assigned to one of the following units based on skills, interest, and operational need:

• Aviation Response Squadron (ARS)
• Crisis Response Battalion (CRB)
• Maritime Response Squadron (MRS)

Compensation & Training Stipend

• This is a volunteer position with the Florida State Guard.
• 
  Training is paid at a $160 per day stipend for approved training days.
• Volunteers may also receive a $160 per day stipend during authorized activations or deployments, as applicable per mission.

Operational Units & Capabilities

Aviation Response Squadron (ARS)

ARS strengthens Florida’s crisis and emergency response as an aviation force multiplier for partner agencies including FDEM, FDLE, FWC, FHP, and others.

Key Capabilities:

• Aerial reconnaissance and situational awareness
• Damage assessment and disaster monitoring
• Search and rescue support
• Aviation-enabled emergency response operations
• Mission planning, reporting, and coordination with partner agencies

Crisis Response Battalion (CRB)

The CRB is the Florida State Guard’s largest operational unit, specializing in land-based rapid response operations, with a capacity of up to 750 Soldiers.

Key Capabilities:

• Mobile and fixed Point of Distribution (POD) operations
• Distribution of food, water, and humanitarian aid
• Route clearance to restore access to roads, hospitals, and critical infrastructure
• Distributed logistics and resource delivery
• Search and rescue support
• Basic lifesaving and sustaining medical support

Maritime Response Squadron (MRS)

The MRS extends emergency response operations across more than 71,324 miles of Florida’s near-shore, off-shore, and inland waterways, with a capacity of up to 200 Soldiers.

Key Capabilities:

• Maritime search and rescue
• Waterway security operations
• Waterway reconnaissance and damage assessment
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief via maritime transport
• Distribution of critical supplies to isolated communities
• Basic lifesaving and sustaining first aid

Volunteer Commitment

• Serve in a volunteer capacity with availability for statewide deployment.
• Willingness to respond on short notice during emergencies.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and extended operational periods during activations.
• Adherence to chain-of-command, uniform standards, and operational protocols.

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to public service and the safety of Florida communities.
• Ability to operate effectively in physically demanding and high-stress environments.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and adaptability skills.
• Ability to complete background screening and required training.
• Willingness to comply with all safety, conduct, and operational standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in military service, emergency management, aviation, maritime operations, law enforcement, fire/rescue, EMS, healthcare, logistics, or disaster response.
• Familiarity with ICS/NIMS and multi-agency response environments.
• Technical, medical, or operational certifications relevant to assigned unit.

Training & Readiness

• Completion of required onboarding and paid training.
• Participation in drills, exercises, and readiness evaluations.
• Ongoing training to maintain mission readiness and operational safety.

Work Environment

• Dynamic, mission-driven emergency response environments.
• Operations may occur in urban, rural, maritime, coastal, or austere conditions.
• Physically and mentally demanding roles focused on public safety and community support.

Why Volunteer with the Florida State Guard

Serving as a Florida State Guard Volunteer offers a unique opportunity to receive paid training, gain real-world emergency response experience, and directly support Floridians during their greatest time of need—on land, in the air, and on the water.

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