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Disaster Response Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

IICRC

Disaster Response Technician

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$20 - $26/hr

Experienced Disaster Response Technician (Fire & Water Restoration) If you already know restoration -- we want you. SERVPRO ® Team Carpenter is expanding our Fire & Water Division and looking for ...

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Disaster Response information

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$12

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$28

How much do disaster response jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for disaster response in California is $20.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in disaster response, and how can they be managed?

Disaster response professionals often face unpredictable and rapidly changing situations, which can include logistical hurdles, communication breakdowns, and emotional stress. Managing these challenges requires strong adaptability, clear protocols, and effective teamwork. Regular training, mental health support, and reliable communication systems are essential to maintaining resilience and performance in high-pressure environments. Building strong relationships with local agencies and community members also helps streamline coordination and resource allocation during emergencies.

What is the difference between Disaster Response vs Emergency Medical Technician?

AspectDisaster ResponseEmergency Medical Technician
Required CredentialsDisaster response training, certifications in emergency management, first aid, and sometimes specialized coursesEMT certification, CPR, first aid
Work EnvironmentField operations during disasters, including natural and man-made events, often in challenging conditionsPre-hospital emergency care, ambulances, hospitals
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, NGOs, emergency management firmsAmbulance services, hospitals, clinics

Disaster Response involves coordinating and providing aid during large-scale emergencies, often requiring specialized training and working in challenging environments. Emergency Medical Technicians focus on providing immediate medical care in emergency settings, primarily within healthcare and ambulance services. While both roles respond to emergencies, Disaster Response covers broader disaster management activities, whereas EMTs specialize in medical treatment.

What are disaster response jobs?

Disaster response jobs focus on providing emergency relief after a natural or human-made disaster. In this role, you may be asked to take action shortly after a disaster occurs, help with planning and preparation before disasters strike, and help with management during a crisis. The jobs themselves take a variety of forms, from working on the ground to rescue people and pass out supplies to managing communications or raising public awareness about threats. State and federal governments provide many disaster response jobs, but many non-profit and humanitarian organizations also respond to disasters. These roles are not the same as firefighters or police. While both help with disasters, disaster response jobs focus on events like earthquakes, major wildfires, or outbreaks of disease.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in disaster response, and why are they important?

To thrive in Disaster Response, you need a solid background in emergency management, risk assessment, and crisis intervention, often supported by relevant degrees or certifications such as FEMA training or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentials. Familiarity with incident command systems, GIS mapping tools, and emergency communication platforms is typically required. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork skills help responders manage high-pressure situations and coordinate effectively with diverse agencies. These abilities are crucial for ensuring rapid, organized, and effective responses to emergencies, minimizing harm and aiding affected communities.

What is disaster response?

Disaster response refers to the coordinated efforts and actions taken immediately following a disaster to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety, and meet the basic needs of affected communities. This phase includes activities such as search and rescue, providing emergency shelter, distributing food and water, and offering medical care. Disaster response is carried out by a range of organizations, including government agencies, humanitarian groups, and emergency services. The goal is to stabilize the situation quickly and lay the groundwork for recovery.
More about Disaster Response jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Disaster Response jobs in California? The most popular types of Disaster Response jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Disaster Response jobs in California? For Disaster Response jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Disaster Response jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Disaster Response jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Disaster Response jobs? Cities in California with the most Disaster Response job openings:
Disaster Response jobs near you
Infographic showing various Disaster Response job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Disaster Response Technician

SERVPRO Carmichael/Citrus Heights Roseville/E&W Modesto/Manteca

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$18.25 - $22.50/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Benefits:

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

SERVPRO Carmichael/Citrus Heights Roseville/E&W Modesto/Manteca 🔥💧 Now Hiring: Experienced Disaster Response Technician (Fire & Water Restoration)

If you already know restoration — we want you.

SERVPRO® Team Carpenter is expanding our Fire & Water Division and looking for experienced, reliable technicians who can step in, get to work, and elevate the crew.

This is not entry-level cleanup work. We’re looking for people who understand job flow, equipment, documentation, and what it takes to run a clean, efficient mitigation job.

If you take pride in your work, move with urgency, and don’t need to be micromanaged — you’ll fit here.

🧠 What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be responding to fire and water losses and executing mitigation work with professionalism and efficiency:

Set up and manage containment, drying systems, and equipment

Perform extractions, demo, and material removal

Navigate attics, crawlspaces, and tight working environments

Follow proper PPE, safety, and IICRC-based standards

Document work clearly (notes, photos, daily updates)

Maintain clean, organized, job sites

What We Expect

Prior experience in fire and/or water mitigation (preferred)

Understanding of drying principles, equipment, and job flow

Ability to work independently and as part of a crew

Strong work ethic — show up ready, move with purpose

Clean, professional communication on jobs

Requirements

Valid driver’s license

Able to lift 50+ lbs regularly

Comfortable on ladders and in confined spaces

Willing to work in dirty, wet, and high-demand environments

Reliable attendance — non-negotiable

Background check required

What You Get

Competitive pay based on experience

Real advancement — Lead Tech → Crew Chief → PM/Estimator

Paid certifications (IICRC + continued training)

Strong leadership and structured operations

Steady, year-round work in a recession-resistant industry

Team that works hard and holds the line

⚡ Why This Role Stands Out

We run tight jobs, clear expectations, and no wasted time. If you’ve worked in restoration before, you know how rare that is.

You’ll be part of a team that:

Moves fast

Holds quality standards

Takes pride in the finished product

If you’re experienced and tired of disorganized crews, inconsistent work, or low standards — this is your move.

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All employees of a SERVPRO® Franchise are hired by, employed by, and under the sole supervision and control of an independently owned and operated SERVPRO® Franchise. SERVPRO® Franchise employees are not employed by, jointly employed by, agents of, or under the supervision or control of Servpro Franchisor, LLC, in any manner whatsoever.

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