Volunteering

Are interested in learning how you, your family, and your neighbors can be better prepared for a disaster? Would your group or organization like to be better prepared to help the community in times of disaster? Do you have a specific skill that could be used in times of emergencies? Do you have desire to be a part of a volunteer team that plays an important role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from a disaster? No matter what your interest of skills, the Calhoun County Citizen Corps program has a volunteer opportunity for you. Some of the programs sponsored by the Citizen Corps include the Community Emergency Response Teams, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, Volunteer Reception Centers, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Disaster Animal Welfare Group. If you are interested in receiving any of the training offered by the Citizen Corps or in volunteering with the many groups that are part of the Citizen Corps Program, please contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

Did you know that in 95% of all emergencies, the victim of bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene? Would you know what to do? Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training will provide you with the skills to help you know how to help your friends and neighbors in a disaster. The program is designed to train citizens on how they can best survive a disaster until emergency services can arrive. CERT classes are conducted several times a year and instruct on the following topics: General Emergency Preparedness, Fire Safety and Suppression, Emergency Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue Operations, CERT Organization and Incident Command, Disaster Psychology, and Emergency Communications.
CERT training courses can be tailored to fit your group or organizations needs. CERT training has been offered to businesses, JSU students, school nurses, senior citizen groups, and children contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

Volunteer Reception Center (VRC)
A Volunteer Reception Center is a vital part of organizing the numerous volunteers a county receives when a disaster occurs. It acts as a staging area to process and disseminate volunteers to affected disaster areas. Both spontaneous volunteers as well as pre-registered Citizen Corps Volunteers are processed through a Volunteer Reception Center. During the response to the April 27, 2011 tornado, the Volunteer Reception Centers in Calhoun County registered and put to work over 4,000 volunteers The Citizen Corps Program has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) through a partnership with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. If you are interested in receiving VRC training, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

Voluntary Organizations Active in a Disaster (VOAD)
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, more commonly known as a VOAD, is a coalition to rally volunteer organizations and local business (private or public) together. The VOAD mission is to foster more effective service to people affected by disaster through cooperation in mitigation and response and avoidance of duplication of effort. VOAD is not an operational organization in and of itself. Rather, it is a coalition of various voluntary organizations with formal disaster response plans. These organizations share with each other information about their capabilities, resources, and special areas of expertise. VOAD works towards filling the un-met needs of the community after a disaster has occurred. We currently have 21 active members of the Calhoun County VOAD.  If your organization or business is interested in joining VOAD, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is dedicated to establishing teams of local volunteer medical and public health professionals in Calhoun County to contribute their skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members—interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others—can fill key support positions. MRC volunteers are trained and prepared to respond to emergencies and they provide education, outreach and various health services throughout the year. Our MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources and agencies such as Red Cross, local public health, fire, police, and ambulance services. The result is a collaborative effort that is prepared for large scale public health crises. If you are interested in joining the Medical Reserve Corps of Calhoun County, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

The Disaster Animal Welfare Group (D.A.W.G.) is dedicated to helping the animals in our community during a disaster. When a disaster occurs D.A.W.G will set up a temporary kennel intake for owned animals and stray animals in a disaster area. D.A.W.G. is dedicated to the people who have lost everything they own by helping ensure that people who are affected by a disaster do not have to worry about their pets or livestock.  D.A.W.G. can help alleviate the some of the stress a disaster victim faces by taking care of their animal while they put their life back together. If you are interested in volunteering with D.A.W.G, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540.

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