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Volunteers assist with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

IEMA highlights role of volunteers, offers advice

information provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 15, 2018) – As Hurricane Florence bears down on the east coast, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is highlighting ways Illinois residents can volunteer and provide critical assistance when disaster strikes.

The agency is also using the opportunity to educate people about how they can get connected with reputable organizations and lend a helping hand with disaster response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

“When disaster strikes, voluntary organizations help people in their community, region, or across the country,” said Acting IEMA Director William P. Robertson. “Volunteer organizations play a vital role in ensuring the long-term recovery of a community affected by a disaster.”

Following a disaster, many people express interest in helping those impacted by the event. Robertson suggests it’s best to volunteer time or money through a reputable disaster relief organization. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (www.nvoad.org) maintains a national database of voluntary and charitable organizations involved in a variety of activities, including emergency preparedness and response throughout the nation.

More than 50 Illinois communities have established Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). These volunteer groups work to make their communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies. Illinois CERT members have assisted with damage assessments, donations management, spontaneous volunteer management and in Multi-Agency Resource Centers. More about CERT is available at ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team.

During disasters, representatives from the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Serve Illinois Commission have liaisons in IEMA’s State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to coordinate with state agencies, mutual aid organizations, and others on response and recovery efforts. In addition, other voluntary organizations are represented in the SEOC by Illinois’ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Disaster volunteer opportunities vary by community. People interested in learning more volunteer opportunities can contact local voluntary organizations or their local emergency management agency.

 

The Lansing Journal
The Lansing Journalhttps://thelansingjournal.com
The Lansing Journal publishes news releases from state, county, and local officials who provide information that impacts local community life. The particular contributor of each post is indicated in the byline.