When neighbors and fellow citizens need help following an emergency or disaster, scores of volunteers come to their aid. From donating food and clothing to serving meals and treating injured children, adults or animals, volunteers are a critical component of an effective emergency response.
But in order to ensure the safety of victims, professional emergency responders and those volunteering at the site of a disaster, volunteers need to be properly trained and ready for an emergency.
You can prepare yourself to be an emergency volunteer by contacting local preparedness and emergency assistance organizations in your area. These organizations, often members of local councils like VOAD’s and Citizen Corps Councils which coordinate volunteer efforts, hold trainings and can index your individual skills so that you can be called on during a disaster.
Prepare Yourself, Family
Individual and family preparedness is another critical step to ensuring community safety. Having a plan in place and the necessary supplies minimizes the impact on your family when disaster strikes. For more information on preparing yourself and your family, please visit www.Ready.gov.
For middle school and high school aged students, readiness traiing is available through OJA sponsored READY Camps. Registration for 2009 camps are now being accepted.
Find Volunteer Opportunities
Contact WeVolunteer-affiliated organizations and see how you can lend a hand. You can search for groups by county and alphabetically.
VolunteerWisconsin lists county centers that offer volunteer opportunities beyond disaster relief.
Sign Up For Training
To be able to assist emergency responders in the event of a disaster you have to know what you are doing. That is why getting the proper training is so important for volunteers. Check out our schedule to see what kind of training is available in your area.
Not Sure What to Do?
If you have any questions about volunteering or individual preparedness don't hesitate to contact us.
