History tells us that when disasters or emergencies of any type or size occur in North Carolina, people want to help. Some people want to help by volunteering, while others want to help by donating something that is needed. Survivors often depend on these offers of help. However, these offers can result in a disaster of their own if there are no plans in place to manage them!
Since 1999, the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has been working to mitigate these “second-tier” disasters. The Commission partners with the N.C. Division of Emergency Management to educate local emergency managers about the importance of having a plan to manage volunteers and donated goods after a disaster or emergency. The most recent educational effort occurred earlier this week at Cape Fear Community College, where emergency managers and first responders from seven counties attended a two-day donations management course, taught by the Commission.
Class participants walked away with a better understanding of processes and strategies to develop or enhance their plans for managing volunteers and donated goods. Two class participants shared their experiences (good and bad) with managing volunteers and donated goods in their county when a high-profile disaster occurred. These real-life experiences added importance to the purpose of the course.
Congratulations to Anson, Columbus, Craven, Durham, Lee, New Hanover and Onslow counties for having great representatives in this week’s class. It’s the beginning of the 2010 hurricane season and a great time for counties to be better prepared!
Actually, it’s a great time for EVERYONE in North Carolina to be better prepared. Visit www.readync.org for information.