When disaster strikes, Wisconsin residents can be counted on to respond. Whether the disaster takes shape as a flood, tornado, winter storm or man-made crisis, plenty of volunteers are sure to arrive at the scene to help others. 

Unfortunately, many volunteers are turned away at the scene of a disaster. Some volunteers do not have training, others lack appropriate credentials. And without preparation on the part of response agencies, organizing a large number of well-intentioned volunteers can be an overwhelming task for emergency crews.

The State Citizen Corps Council and Wisconsin’s VOAD are joining forces through the Wisconsin Emergency Volunteer (WeVolunteer) Initiative to help local officials identify, develop and integrate volunteer organizations into emergency response plans. State Citizen Corps Council chairperson and former Adjutant General Al Wilkening and VOAD Chairperson Terri Leece are co-chairing the effort.

Combining effort makes sense. VOAD member organizations are active in communities throughout the state and have expertise and experience in recruiting, training and deploying volunteers. The governor-appointed Citizen Corps Council brings access to grant funding, staff and resources to support new initiatives, and relationships with government officials at the federal, state and local level.

Member organizations are already hard at work. Collaborations are underway to create a much needed volunteer management training program, develop a web-based statewide volunteer registry, and create outreach materials to help spread the word.

Print Version   |   Return to Previous