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Will you be needed if a disaster strikes?
Volunteer Fort Bend is gearing up for the hurricane season or other unanticipated disasters by asking people to register as a Disaster Recovery Volunteer. This resource allows you to be contacted if your skills and support are needed during an emergency.
Will I be helping first responders?
Most disaster-serving organizations like American Red Cross have an existing pool of trained volunteers and likely won't need more. However, other organizations that many vulnerable people depend on for important daily services may need extra help during a disaster. You will be part of an extra pool of volunteers, available to these organizations during a disaster.
Remember, in a disaster the "response" phase is the first few days and the "recovery" phase occurs after that. You would most likely be needed during the "recovery" phase, a few days after the disaster occurs.
If I sign-up, do I have to volunteer?
No. However, if a disaster strikes and you are not available, please update your profile so organizations avoid spending valuable time contacting unavailable volunteers.
Should I wait until I'm contacted?
Following a disaster please be patient if you wish to volunteer. Organizations will search the skills bank to find the volunteers they need; if they need your skill they'll contact you. We might contact all disaster volunteers if we learn of organizations needing broad volunteer support. Under no circumstances should you go to a disaster area unless specifically connected to and requested by an organization.
Is there something I can do now?
Other than registering a skill you'd like to share in a disaster or emergency, you can increase your qualifications to serve in a disaster by attending training. The best place to start is via the trainings held for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team, the American Red Cross, or Fort Bend Medical Reserve Corps. For a list of CERT trainings in the area click here. To register for new volunteer orientation with the American Red Cross (the first step to volunteer) click here for Southwestern Branch office information. To learn more about the Medical Reserve Corps click here.
How do I register?
To offer your skills in a disaster, please register here (or update an existing profile). Click "yes" when asked if you want to volunteer in a disaster and you'll go to the Disaster Skills Bank Area.
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