As the recent winter storm has reminded us, when a crisis hits-whether it's a natural disaster, a public health emergency, or a local utility outage-our community's resilience can be tested. In these moments, our community partners (like these first responders and emergency management teams) often face a sudden, massive surge in demand for services. While the instinct to rush in and help is a testament to the incredible spirit of our volunteers, effective emergency response requires more than just a willing heart; it requires advanced preparation and coordination.
The Reality of Emergency Volunteering In an emergency, our partners rely on credentialed and pre-trained volunteers to ensure they are providing the most effective aid without hindering professional services. Training prior to an emergency situation ensures that: - Safety is prioritized for both the volunteer and the community members being served.
- Roles are clearly defined, reducing confusion in high-stress environments.
- Liability and protocols are managed, allowing organizations to deploy help immediately rather than spending precious hours on orientations.
How to Raise Your Hand (Before the Crisis) If you are willing to be called up when a local emergency arises, our community partners need to know sooner rather than later! The Volunteer River Counties hub can be used to contact volunteers willing to be mobilized in an emergency. By updating your user profile, we can reach out to you with information on training, resources and potential organizational matches prior to an actual emergency. If you are interested in updating your profile to reflect your willingness to be contacted about volunteering in an emergency, please email the Volunteer River Counties program coordinator: elizabeth@volunteerrivercounties.org.
Thank you for your commitment to keeping our community strong, safe, and supported-no matter what comes our way. | 
