Volunteer Management for Disasters

In June, RSVP volunteers, trained to respond in disasters, were called on to put their skills to work.  Volunteers staffed a flood hotline at Ames City Hall, answering many calls from concerned citizens, and registering and processing community volunteers coming in droves to  help sandbag.

Central Iowa Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has a special role in the event of a disaster, contracting with the City of Ames and Story County Emergency Management Agency to provide volunteer management for volunteers of all ages during a disaster. RSVP will operate a non-emergency phone bank, staff a volunteer intake area to process and mobilize all volunteers, and provide leaders to help manage other volunteers.

RSVP offers on-going training for disaster volunteers. In order to volunteer for the phone bank or the intake area, volunteers must first complete Basic Training. Once completing the Basic, volunteers may choose to take any of the additional courses offered including: Supervisory Training, Phone Bank Training, Emergency Operations Center training, NIMS training, Stress Management , etc. All training is free of charge, but does require pre-screening.

Twice a year, RSVP holds drills to test its program. Volunteers that have been trained are encouraged to participate. The drills not only give the volunteers practice, but also help point out weak areas that need improvement.

For anyone interested in being trained to respond in a disaster with RSVP, contact Betty at 515-292-8890 or bboccellarsvp@isunet.net.