What to do without disasters

 So you have a great program, great volunteers, they are all background checked and NIMS compliant, now what?
If you run a disaster volunteer (the title of this blog) program, you know that often you are left waiting, waiting, waiting for something to happen.  I know its a bit of perverse thing to do; but thats a different blog post.
My co-workers and volunteers often hear me say "volunteers don't join us to sit on a database, they volunteer to do!"
 There are some certainties that having active volunteers will fulfill.The WHY!

• Active volunteers are happier and stay with programs longer
• Active volunteers tell their friend what they do (think free advertising)
• Active volunteers get noticed when they are doing (Think free advertising)
• Active volunteers can help move your mission/program forward

Another certainty is you will have to work more to keep volunteers busy; it takes work to find, schedule, supervise and get things for them to do.  So now for some ideas:

MRC (Medical Reserve Corps)

• Providing health checks at community fairs (tailor what you check to the audience)
• Augmenting the Public Health mission - whatever you can do to help
• Preparedness training for vulnerable populations in your area
• Training
• Red Cross shelter training
• First Aid training
• AED training
• Cultural competency training
• Radiological training/briefing
• HAM radio (for warning and notifications)

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

• Teaching Preparedness training for the community (vulnerable pops, kids, etc.)
• First Aid
• Shelter Training
•  Community education (excuse me, did you know you live in a flood plain?)
• Other ideas - Here
• Pet sheltering training

Volunteer Fire Fighters

• Teach Fire education in schools
• Teach Fire education with vulnerable populations
• Inspection and education (while they may not be able to do official inspections, they can augment your current program)

I know that some of these suggestions may not work (cost, law/rules/unions, interest, etc.)
I know I missed some ideas (please give me input and I'll add to the list allowing everyone to benefit from our collective wisdom)
And most of all I listed only three types of disaster volunteers, you are welcome to add to my list.

Thanks for reading
Disaster_Dave

Volunteer your way into a job

The article below highlights points that work in volunteering your way into a job.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2012/06/30/six-reasons-you-should-volunteer-your-way-to-a-job/


I am often asked how I got into Emergency Management (and I think its the most often answer given by others).  I volunteered !

I began volunteering with the American Red Cross to give back to my community, the more I volunteered, the more I became very interested in the Emergency Management field.  After about a year and a half, A job came open and I was encouraged to interview for it; and as they say "everything else is history' But how!

Was I already trained in emergency management ? Nope? What did I do?

1. I asked what did they need! And then did it!
2. I showed up when I said I would/on time (like a job)!
3. I asked to take on leadership and help!
4. When I saw a need I spoke up and offered help!
5. And once I got the position I dove in and made sure they knew they made a good choice.

I love my field of Emergency Management and enjoy talking to folks making the change and trying to figure out how to get in.




disaster dave