Generating Community Involvement

Ideas for neighborhood Volunteer Coordinators responding to unplanned

events

Why Neighborhood Volunteer Coordinators should start planning

before disaster strikes “Following a major disaster, first responders who

provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.”

Source: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm

Why Neighborhood Volunteer Coordinators should start planning

before disaster strikes

“….We can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning…..people will spontaneously volunteer .”

Source: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm

Why Neighborhood Volunteer Coordinators should start planning

before disaster strikes “First, present citizens the facts about

what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them with emphasis on decision making skills, safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number…..”

Source: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm

Your goals in recruiting and ongoing coordination of community volunteers for planned or emergency community activities

Assessment of project needs Indentifying resources Gain Support and community “buy in” to aid program

recruiting and effectiveness Acquire Materials (as needed) Tailor training to community needs Identify best ways to communicate with volunteers Develop partnerships that will act as a feeder for your

program and bolster community support Communicate regularly with volunteers Maintain record of Volunteer availability (ensure

information is accessible to others in case of disaster)

Examples of Planned Action vs. Emergency Organizing of Volunteers Both events require engagement of community members and ongoing reassessment of

volunteer’s talents, availability, and desires for their community

Planned Event Volunteer Coordination

Community Dumpster Day

-Organizers Assess Community needs

-Volunteers are recruited and assigned to tasks in accordance to availability, skills, and work assignment desires

Emergency Event Volunteer Coordination Sudden Blizzard

-Organizers have little time to assess community needs though immediate action is required

-Volunteers are recruited and assigned to tasks in accordance to skills, proximity, and the communities immediate needs

You know your neighborhoods better than anyone;Your goals are to identify the strengths and weaknesses of vocal community

advocates and turn their desire to be heard into tangible action

Ways engage Volunteers before a crisis

Think of starting a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

“Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations”

Occoquan Forest HOA Response to Occoquan Forest Fire of 2011

Informal emergency plan for volunteers in place including

-Volunteer phone tree

-Response team including liaison assigned to communicate with PWC emergency responders

-HOA President & Board going door to do to check on residents & assess damage/conduct headcount

-Informal plan for relocation of displaced residents in homes of volunteers

Post Fire report prepared by volunteers to aid fire prevention and future emergency planning

PWC Neighborhood Responses to 2010 “SNOWMAGEDDON”

Marie, Ridgedale “Kerry has a snow blower and he and Ed walked up and down the street during the last big storm and helped anyone and everyone clear their driveway. They were outside for the majority of the day in the windy snow helping everyone. This is typical of the unity on our street of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Patty, Westgate “I had quite a few neighbors call me up before the first big snow storm. It was a coincidence that we had a few neighbors who had some surgical procedures done just prior to this storm. I was able to coordinate some help for them. I will just mention one neighbor in particular. He just had surgery on a broken ankle that he incurred while trying to clear ice and snow from a previous snow storm. He likes to help others too. His wife was not able to clear all the snow that we received from the big storm. I called one of our watch members, Pam and she said ‘no problem.’ Her husband and the whole family went to this neighbor's home and cleared the snow for them. From what Pam told me they had a good time and made some new friends.”

Steve & Ginger, Ridgedale “Neighbors on Reardon Lane and Ribbon Court all pulled together to take care of everyone during both major snow storms. Dave and Kelley setup a schedule for all to use their snow blower and did the snow blowing for neighbors who were unable top physically do it. Kelly also helped the Anderson family's hovel out Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. Ed and Kerri cleared the snow around all fire hydrants (for all blocks around Reardon) and helped shovel out neighbors that needed help as did Leroy and Elizabeth and Dale!!! So nice to see everyone pull together to make sure everyone was safe!!! We are so blessed to have great neighbors! We have lived here18 years and have the best neighbors ever!”

Source Material & Links

Points of Light Foundation “Neighboring” Program: http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/neighboring

Occoquan Fire Info: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/one-home-destroyed-many-acres-scorched-in-occoquan-forest-blaze/article_9e161398-1e9c-595b-adb5-cfabdcf32170.html

http://www.occoquanforest.org/postfirereports.htm Mar/Apr 2010 PWC Neighborhood News Cert Team/FEMA Info: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ http://www.caionline.org/about/who/Pages/CCAV.aspx