How We Help:
We. . .
- Partner with response agencies to engage volunteers in disaster response and recovery.
- Support local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) by providing access to training, information, and resources.
- Mobilize national service members, such as AmeriCorps, VISTA and NCCC teams, to help respond to disasters.
- Promote disaster preparedness through Ready WV. multi-media campaign.
- Learn more about how we engage during disaster response and recovery, see Volunteer West Virginia’s Disaster Fact Sheet.
Learn More About Our Disaster Services Programs:
In 95% of all emergencies, the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Would you know what to do? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates local volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Trained CERT members can help themselves, their families, and those nearby during an incident, and can assist and support first responders.
Spontaneous Volunteers
Disasters bring a wave of
kind-hearted volunteers from near and far wanting to help. To harness this volunteer energy, we facilitate the coordination of spontaneous volunteers and provide the public with information on how to help.
To manage the unprecedented
number of volunteers during the historic flooding in June 2016, we worked with
partners to establish Volunteer Reception Centers in Clay, Kanawha, Greenbrier,
and Nicholas County. The centers registered more than 3,900 volunteers,
referring them to local agencies an communities to help with relief efforts.
Ready WV - Emergency Preparedness
Ready WV is a multi-media communications campaign and an online tool that helps West Virginians know what to do before, during, and after an emergency. The program provides easy access to basic information on how to prepare for emergencies, as well as information on local and statewide disaster preparedness trainings and events. Learn more at
http://www.ready.wv.gov/
For more information or inquiries about our Disaster Services programs, contact Gina Namay at gina.l.namay@wv.gov