Disaster Response

Resources specifically for volunteer management in a time of disaster.

Books on this topic in the bookstore (none at this time)

Articles and excerpts on this topic:

Disaster Risk Reduction, Governance and Volunteerism (PDF), report from the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction
Influenza Pandemic: Health volunteers decry lack of support (Thailand, 2005)
From Tragedy to Triumph: How can philanthropy and volunteering help my child cope with tragic world events? from Raising Charitable Children
Habit of the Heart: Volunteering in Disasters by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (poses important questions about the usefulness of volunteers unless managed well)
The Human Face of Aid, 1997 UK report by People in Aid
Is Volunteer Fire Service Prepared for Disaster? - opinion piece published one month after Great Hanshin Earthquake hit Japan in 1995
National Leadership Forum on Disaster Volunteerism - summary of issues raised in a 2002 conference (NVOAD and Points of Light).
People Helping People: The Human Side of Disasters, a compilation of stories from various sources (NVOAD)
Volunteers Vital 'Before and After' Disaster Strikes, UN Volunteers Executive Coordinator Ad de Raad (also see text of speech at the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction)

Free electronic books on this subject:

Coordinating Emergency Management by Jill Saito, 12-page PDF

Emotional and Spiritual Care, a guide for disaster support by NVOAD (see below).

Getting Ready for Disaster Volunteers: A Guide for Community-Based Organizations, by Margaret Melsh of The Volunteerism Project, San Francisco, CA (updated 2001).

LSU AgCenter Experts Offer Tips for Volunteering (2005)

Operation Blue Roof and Beyond: Protocol on the Deployment of AmeriCorps Teams for Disaster Recovery, 24-page PDF by Deborah Burr Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute Class V

Preventing a Disaster Within a Disaster by FEMA and the Points of Light Foundation, and its follow-up report, Managing Spontaneous Volunteers in Times of Disaster.

Ready to Respond: Disaster Preparedness and Response for Volunteer Centers

Detailed manual from The Points of Light Foundation and The Allstate Foundation providing the necessary guidance for Volunteer Centers and local voluntary agencies to develop and coordinate a disaster preparedness and response program that is tailored to the specific needs, capabilities, and desires of their local community (1999).

Web sites with information on this topic:

Action by Churches Together (ACT) International

http://www.act-intl.org/

A global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. Site offers various guides and links.

Citizen Corps Councils

http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/resources_councils.shtm

Information on starting a local Citizen Corps Council to prepare for emergencies, with details about working groups around the country. Part of the USA Freedom Corps.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program
http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/index.shtm
CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them to organize locally.

Disaster Center - Relief Agencies

http://www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm

Comprehensive listing of dozens of nonprofit and faith-based organizations engaged in disaster relief, with descriptions and links.

Disaster News Network (DNN)

http://www.disasternews.net/

Disaster News Network is a news service that tells the story of disaster response and suggests appropriate ways the public can help survivors. It also facilitates information sharing among disaster responders.

Faces of Service - American Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org/news/vo/profiles/020405kiser.asp

A section of articles beginning with "Disaster Volunteers Help Red Cross Chapter Grow" that profile the work of volunteers at times of crisis. End of page links to 20 more articles.

Help in Disaster

http://www.helpindisaster.org

American site designed to register and affiliate volunteers prior to a disaster (in the USA) so that organizations within the disaster area can outreach to volunteers by their skills and availability and invite them to assist in the recovery effort. Run by Points of Light Foundation and 1-800-Volunteer.org. Has information to prepare volunteers.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Disaster Response

http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/response/

Overview of disaster relief efforts around the world, with various documents and articles relevant to volunteer service.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

http://www.nvoad.org/

NVOAD coordinates planning efforts by many voluntary organizations responding to disaster, providing more effective services and less duplication by getting together before disasters strike. Once disasters occur, NVOAD or an affiliated state VOAD encourages members and other voluntary agencies to convene on site. This cooperative effort has proven to be the most effective way for a wide variety of volunteers and organizations to work together in a crisis. Offer various reports and guides (see articles above).

People in Aid (free publications area)

http://www.peopleinaid.org/resources/publications.aspx

UK site focusing mainly on paid relief workers but offering materials of use in working with volunteers.

Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT) International
http://www.reactintl.org/
Well-recognized organization of ham radio and CB operators who work with established emergency organizations to communicate worldwide during emergencies and disasters. The site provides self-help materials for the volunteers involved.

Rescue Training Resource and Guide

http://www.techrescue.org

Australia-based site filled with information about search and rescue operations. Do a site search on "volunteer" for many articles. (temporarily offline for as of Dec. 2006).

Volunteer Center Response Plan
http://www.preparenow.org/vcdplan.html
Lengthy online manual outlining what a volunteer center can do during a disaster.

Volunteer Centers Disaster Initiatives
http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/disaster/resources.cfm
Variety of materials to assist volunteer centers prepare for and operate during local disasters.