How You Can Help in Times of Disaster

Register in advance to help in times of disaster.

Find out what training is available in your area, enroll and become affiliated with an experienced disaster relief organization. Groups such as The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, churches and voluntary organizations provide training for volunteers.

Volunteers can …

Promote family preparedness by distributing educational materials
Prepare and distribute meals to victims and relief workers
Assist with the placement and tracking of victims in evacuation shelters
Provide child care for disaster survivors
Compile and distribute disaster recovery information to survivors
Answer phones at volunteer intake or disaster recovery centers
Provide debris removal and clean-up
assistance to the elderly or disabled

Before traveling to a disaster area to help …

In a community struggling to respond to and recover from a disaster, an influx of unexpected or unneeded volunteers and donations can make the process even more difficult. Before traveling to a disaster area to help, learn where and when your skills will be needed. Discuss with volunteer organizers how your needs for food, water and shelter will be met while you are volunteering.