The Role of Disaster Response Volunteers
During a disaster, affected communities rely heavily on local community members, also known as spontaneous volunteers, to help with recovery efforts. Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of emergency management which include mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Spontaneous volunteers can provide additional capacity to organizations by performing roles that require less training.
Be Ready to Volunteer
In times of disaster you may be eager to get out and help, however, it is best to wait for the call for assistance.
- Sign-up as a volunteer and complete your profile
- Search the site for available opportunities to volunteer and sign-up
- Be sure to follow any instructions given
- Are you a qualified medical professional? Go to SERV-OR and volunteer to provide your medical skills during emergencies
Types of Activities
Volunteers can provide additional capacity to organizations by conducting many types of activities including:
- Donate money or supplies
- Donate time to sort through donations or deliver supplies
- Prepare food for evacuees at shelters
- Evacuate cattle and other livestock
- Set up evacuation sites
Benefits to Volunteering
Volunteering can be one the most rewarding things a person can do and there are many benefits including:
- Gain confidence
- Make a difference
- Meet new people
- Learn new skills
- Be part of a community
- Stay active
Tips
- Immediately after a disaster occurs, many people want to volunteer at the same time. However, it may not be known until a few days after the incident how a volunteer can get involved. Please be patient.
- Oftentimes, there are greater needs for help once the community enters the long-term recovery period.
