1. WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS
OBJECTIVES:
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Identify functions before, during, and after an emergency that could be performed by volunteers.
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Identify volunteer groups in your community or citywide that you may be able to connect with.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Many people want to help after an emergency and volunteers can be a great way to connect people to goods and services (think: distributing food/water, canvassing/flyering, clean up, etc.).
Some response operations require technical expertise and are only suitable for trained volunteers. Be familiar with the type of volunteers you’re working with as well as common requirements needed for different types of operations.
Follow these best practices for organizing volunteers:
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Assign team leaders who have experience managing volunteers.
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Have defined tasks.
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Make volunteer groups that are manageable in size.
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Match projects with volunteer group strengths (e.g. language expertise).
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Use t-shirts, vests or some kind of marker to identify groups or tasks.
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Provide leaders and their groups with appropriate materials for their task.
TO DO:
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Identify local volunteer resources and add them to your resource directory.
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Find the CERT in your area and connect with it. Email cert@oem.nyc.gov to contact your CERT’s Team Chief.
RESOURCES:
New York City Community Emergency Response Teams (NYC CERT) are groups of dedicated volunteers who help prepare their neighbors and communities for different types of emergencies. Volunteers go through a ten week training and are assigned to a team in their community district. For more information visit nyc.gov/cert or call 311.
DID YOU KNOW?
CERTs are deployed by NYC Emergency Management and are in constant communication with the City’s Emergency Operation Center when activated. Building a relationship with your local CERT offers access to the most up-to-date information about what is happening in the city.
ALSO...
During large scale emergencies the City will activate a volunteer taskforce that collects and coordinates information about volunteer activities. All volunteer efforts are encouraged to participate in this effort. For more information contact citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov or call 311.
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