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4th of July Parade Volunteers
Every Spring we seek volunteers, whether individually or in groups, to assist with the 4th of July Parade here in Everett.
Find out how you can help downtown Everett’s largest event and one of the top parades in the North Puget Sound.
If you would like to volunteer, please submit your information on our online form.
For more information, contact the Everett Office of Emergency Management by email or by phone at (425) 257-8111.
Meeting Dates (See details below.)
All meeting times will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Carl Gipson Senior Center located at 3025 Lombard Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Doors will be open starting at 6:00pm for check-in.
- Thursday, May 25 - Incident Command & First on the Scene Training
- Thursday, June 1 - Incident Command & First on the Scene Training
- Thursday, June 15 - Incident Command & First on the Scene Training
- Thursday, June 22 - Group Leaders & Team Leads Only
- Thursday, June 29 - Final Meeting
All Volunteers - The first three meetings, May 25th, June 1st, and June 15th are the same training and we ask that you pick one of these three dates to attend training.
Group or Team Leads - If you are a Group or Team Lead, we ask that, in addition to one of the first three meetings, you also attend the meeting on June 22nd which is the Group Leaders and Leader Shadows meeting.
All Volunteers - June 29th is our final meeting. We ask that all volunteers attend this meeting. This is an important and critical meeting to attend as it is the final coordination meeting and breakout sessions for all volunteers. This meeting allows for all volunteers to meet and train with group leads. Additionally, Parade T-shirts will be handed out, as well as any final information and materials that you will need for the parade.
- To give back to your community and country on this great national holiday!
- To be part of a team!
- Free experience! Gain leadership, disaster preparedness and organizational skills!
- To meet new people!
- To experience the parade close-up and meet parade entries!
- The great T-shirts!
- Writing a resume? Employers love to see that an employee volunteers and cares about their community.
- Applying for college? Volunteerism can make you stand out from the rest.
- To do something different from your job for fun! to expand your horizons!
- To get to feel in charge and in control of downtown Everett.
Comfort Station Unit
Will be located at Comfort Station near Command Post and walk around staging area with wagons to distribute bottled water. Provide water and basic first aid for parade participants and OEM volunteers (not the general public/parade spectators).
Requirements
Walking and pulling water wagons
MRC (Medical Reserve Corps) only for first aid station
Supply and Equipment Unit
Check out and distribute equipment to volunteers and then check back in all equipment (This unit may also participate in other units during the parade).
Requirements
Lift/move equipment
Parade Entry Check-In Unit
Check in the arriving parade entries. (This unit may also participate in other units during the parade).
Requirements
Details and having a friendly attitude.
Volunteer Check-In Unit
Check-in all volunteers when they arrive and check them back out when they leave. Those in this position may join other units during the parade. These positions are the first to arrive.
Requirements
Traffic Control Unit
Greet and direct arriving and dispersing parade participants to and from staging and parking areas.
Requirements
Good eyesight
Ability to give and follow hand/arm signals for directing traffic
Parade Control Group
Parade marshals walk along with the parade to coordinate the timing and spacing of the parade participants and keep the spectators out of the parade route.
Requirements
Friendly under stress
Ability to take instructions/give commands
Not afraid to walk in front of thousands of people
Reserve Personnel Unit
Extra personnel who may act as Aides or Messengers or fill other needs. Priority given to bicycle riders.
Requirements
Ability to carry supplies
Communications
Provide radio communication between the sections, groups and units.
Requirements
Must be a licensed amateur radio operator.
Safety
Ensures that operations are being done in a safe manner and provides safety briefings to volunteers. The only other position besides the Incident Commander who can call an “All Stop.”
Requirements
None
Q: Where should I park, if I am driving?
A:
Volunteers will be provided with complimentary parking. The location of volunteer parking is in the lot in back of the Everett Fire Department station located at Oakes & California and where Parade Headquarters is located. From there, it is a brief walk to the Parade Staging Area and Parade Route.
Q: How long will I be needed on parade day?
A:
We ask that volunteers check in at the Headquarters between 6:30--7:00 am, depending upon their specific positions. (You will be informed of your exact check-in time by your team leader.) You will be assigned to a specific area, and limited transportation will be available for those unable to walk from Headquarters. The parade begins at 11:00 am. After the parade conclusion, you may be needed for some minor cleanup to return the street to regular traffic. Team Leaders coordinate this effort and then release you to return to the Headquarters, where you will return your equipment and vest and check out. Your volunteer commitment will end about 2:30-3:00 pm.
Q: Will food or beverage be provided to the parade volunteers?
A:
At Headquarters in the morning and throughout the day, hot and cold beverages, breakfast-related foods and snacks, and lunch will be provided to all parade volunteers.
Q: Am I allowed to drink alcoholic beverages while volunteering?
A:
Volunteers are NOT allowed to consume alcohol while performing their volunteer duties. We strive to run a family-friendly event, so we cannot have intoxicated volunteers representing our event. After the parade is over, you are free to consume "adult" beverages.
Q: Name three things I'll wish I'd brought with me to volunteer on parade day.
A:
This would depend on the weather. For a cold day, you'll want to bring a warm hat, warm gloves, and warm shoes. For a sunny day, you'll want to bring sunglasses, suntan lotion, and a hat for shade. Remember - the parade goes on rain, shine, or snow.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A:
We require clothes to be in good repair and no open toed shoes. We strongly recommend that you dress for the weather. We do want you to stand out better in a crowd so that you are recognizable as being a parade official. To aid in this, we will furnish you with a parade t-shirt that we ask you to wear on the day of the event and an event safety vest to be worn over your own clothing so that you are recognizable as being a parade official. It must be returned at the end of the day so that we can clean and re-use them the following year.
- Answer questions from spectators (Don't worry, we will help you with answers to commonly asked questions).
- Be firm, but friendly. You'll help keep the parade route clear of obstacles.
- Be available from check-in at 6:30 am, until about 2:30 pm
- Be pleasant and helpful.
- Be willing to have fun. Most people who attend are well behaved. So, your job is often not very difficult, meaning you'll have more fun.