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Disaster Volunteer Initiative

Disaster Volunteer Initiative

Click on one of the following topics to learn more about:

Responding to Disasters

Volunteers DO NOT deploy to the disaster area unless specifically connected to and requested by a locally receiving organization. Communities struggling to respond and recover can be overwhelmed by an influx of unexpected, unrequested and/or uneeded volunteers or donations. Enhance response and recovery efforts by keeping the following in mind:

Financial Contributions are Preferred. Financial donations help to avoid the labor and expense of sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods. Relief agencies can use cash to meet identified needs of survivors more quickly while at the same time rebuilding the local economy. Learn more about donating to experienced disaster relief organizations at the website of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at www.nvoad.org.

Confirm the need and the destination BEFORE collecting anything. Potential donors should be wary of anyone who claims that “everything is needed.” Groups can be disappointed when the goods they’ve collected aren’t appreciated. Communities affected by disaster often do not have the time or resources to dispose of unneeded donations. Get precise information and confirm the need and destination before collecting any donated good. Better yet, remember that financial donations are preferred. If you would like to collect items, consider donating those items to local non-profit or governmental agencies.

Volunteer Wisely. In communities struggling to respond to and recover from disasters, an influx of unexpected, unrequested, and unneeded volunteers can seriously complicate response and recovery efforts. BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE AREA TO HELP, learn whether volunteers are needed, if local volunteers are preferred (to minimize needs for additional food, water, and shelter in an already challenged area), and if they are seeking specific skills. You can also:

Respond by volunteering locally with a local disaster relief organization or register through our 1-800-Volunteer.org website to learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities available right here in our community. You can also attend an upcoming Disaster Volunteer Information Session to learn how you can serve as a disaster volunteer.

Community Members

If you or your organization are interested in volunteering for disaster preparation and response initiatives, please register online indicating an interest in disaster preparedness and response initiatives or contact Pam at pam@volunteerhoward.org or 410.715.3179. Consider attending one of the upcoming general disaster volunteer orientations to learn more about ways to get involved before disaster strikes.

The center can refer you to organizations that train volunteers to meet the needs of the community in a disaster or emergency situation. If you already have a skill that you’d like to share with our community in a disaster or emergency, contact us to learn about organizations with which you can affiliate prior to an event. Pre-affiliation allows organizations to make the best use of your skills. Here is a list of local Disaster Preparedness & Response agencies: click here.

The Volunteer Center is a member of the Community Emergency Response Network (CERN), Howard County’s Citizen Corps. For more information about CERN, please visit www.cern.us.

Following a disaster, please be patient if you wish to volunteer. Allow the center to take time to identify local community needs in order to refer volunteers more effectively. This will enable volunteers to complement rather than complicate the efforts of first responders, a goal that we all share.

Non-Profit and Governmental Agencies

Register your agency now to save valuable time later! Also, consider attending our Agency Disaster Volunteer Mobilization Center trainings to familiarize yourself with how you can request volunteers following a disaster – doing so could make a real difference in your agency’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently. Contact Pam at pam@volunteerhoward.org or 410.715.3179 to learn about upcoming training opportunities. Plan ahead! Contact us if you are looking for ways to use volunteers before and after a disaster. You can train volunteers as needed to help you prepare and recover, and even to help you assess your potential volunteer needs following a disaster. You can also use our agency planning guidelines to brainstorm ways in which your agency can use volunteers before and after a disaster. Click here to access the Agency Checklist for contacting the volunteer center following a disaster. Your agency will not be able to access potential volunteers through the volunteer center following a disaster without following the instructions on the checklist, so take a moment to familiarize yourself with the process!

Disaster Planning Guidelines for Agencies and Businesses

If you are seeking ways in which to prepare your agency or business for a disaster, please click on the appropriate link below for suggestions and guidelines to get you started (including websites and phone numbers for more information and guidance). These resources are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a starting point for your agency or business.

Agency Disaster Planning Guidelines

Business Disaster Planning Guidelines

Upcoming Orientations and Trainings

General Disaster Volunteer Orientation & Information Sessions:
Participants will be introduced to the Volunteer Center & disaster volunteer opportunities and trainings in Howard County and will discover the benefits of being a pre-affiliated volunteer.
Location: 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD, 21044

  • Thursday, March 18th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Thursday, April 15th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Wednesday, May 5th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Volunteer Mobilization Center (VMC) Training for Volunteers:
Participants will be introduced to the process and forms needed to refer volunteers following a disaster back into the community to support recovery efforts.
10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD, 21044

  • Tuesday, March 23rd from 6:30-8:30 pm
  • Tuesday, May 11th from 6:30-8:30 pm

Please RSVP to (410) 715-3179 or e-mail pam@volunteerhoward.org if you plan to attend or for more info! Although these programs are free, registration is required in order to ensure adequate supplies and materials.

Cancellation Policy: If Howard County Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather or an emergency, the program will be canceled.

Resources for Community Members

Visit Howard County’s Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) site at http://www.bepreparedbeready.org for information on Emergency Communications, Sheltering in Place, Disaster Supply Kits and more!