HARWICH – Local emergency officials will hold a training drill next week on how to best prepare and organize volunteer response in the wake of disasters.
Public safety officials often report an outpouring of volunteers after emergencies, but say it can be difficult to organize that response and add that precious time is spent trying to organize those efforts instead of supporting victims.
The Barnstable County Emergency Planning Committee has teamed up with the Cape Cod Citizen Corps Council to develop Volunteer Reception Centers, in an attempt to better organize volunteer efforts in the wake of emergencies. At the centers, volunteers are registered and referred to the appropriate local agencies to assist with relief efforts. The centers provide an immediate resource for officials to fill staffing needs before, during, and after disasters.
The drill on September 30 will be held at the Harwich Community Center at 2 PM and will train officials on how to run the operation at the centers. Volunteers are needed to role-play as emergency volunteers.
“Key to this training is the simulation drill where staff members welcome, receive process, and place spontaneous volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to play the role of “volunteers” in order to exercise the Lower Cape VRC location and staff,” said Amy Alati, Barnstable County Emergency Planner.
Volunteers are needed for 30 to 60 minutes.
For more information, contact Amy Alati at 508-375-6908
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