After a disaster occurs

It can be a lot of work preparing your family for an emergency situation, but after a disaster occurs is often when the real work begins. Not only will you have to repair and clear out your own home, but many of the facilities that help you survive will require a lot of work, too. Hospitals, grocery stores, home improvement stores, businesses, schools and even roads will all need a lot of people and a lot of help to be cleaned up and prepared to assist your community.
Here are a couple ways you can find out how to get involved beforeor after an emergency if you have access to the internet or a phone. Any of the services listed will provide you with information on how you can administer help for people in your community or assist in cleaning-up and rebuilding the areas that need it most.
One of the quickest ways to find a way to volunteer in your area is by either by calling 1-800-VOLUNTEER (1-800-865-868-337), or by visiting their website at 1-800-volunteer.org. Whether you’ve just survived a disaster or you weren’t affected but want to help this is one of the quickest, most reliable ways to find current opportunities to serve. Through 1-800-Volunteer you have the options to find out about disaster recovery opportunities, to learn about the ‘hands on’ network, and also upcoming events. You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with a live operator if you call.
The American Red Cross is also a reliable resource to go to when looking to be prepared with knowledge and experience for helping in an emergency. The American Red Cross Advantage program offers convenient classes that can be scheduled at a local facility or American Red Cross chapter at a time that works for you. Through the Red Cross programs you can help comfort victims affected by a disaster or even teach a pet first-aid class. Whether you are interested in community services, international services, disaster services or any of the other lines of services in the Red Cross, you’ll find something that you can help with. These programs offer training for first-aid, CPR, caregiving,disaster education, donating, giving blood and more. To find out how to contact someone in your area go to redcross.org, and enter your zip code in the area on the far left. After you do this a phone number will be provided or you can e-mail someone or visit the site that is specifically for your area.
The last site we chose to list is Volunteers of America at voa.org. On the homepage, click on the green tab on the right that’s labeled “Get involved”. This tab will bring you to a page that lists every state and at least one specific site that will provide you withinformation on how to get involved in your area. When you click on your specific site you will come to a page that lists volunteeropportunities and details close to you. On the Right hand side you will also be provided with information on how to contact the volunteer coordinator in your area. This site lists service opportunities to serve not only according an emergency, but opportunities to help the homeless and needy as well.
There are many wonderful, reliable organizations one can refer to in order to find out how to help when a disaster occurs.