Emergency Response Volunteering

When disaster strikes any community, volunteers provide a wide range of vital services, from handing out water to providing medical or psychological treatment. Our programs encourage citizens to train and prepare for emergencies long before disaster strikes, so they're prepared in case of a disaster in our community.
 

If you're interested in volunteering in response to an emergency or training up for long-term disaster preparedness, feel free browse our opportunity listings or contact our Disaster Preparedness coordinator.

The Palatine Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) recently received the 2010 Impact Award for Volunteer Program of the Year. Read their story here.

***Serving the Gulf of Mexico***
"The complex nature of oil cleanup, coupled with health and safety concerns, restricts the role of volunteers. The Deepwater Unified Area Command under the direction of Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen has specified that volunteers or unpaid individuals are not allowed to perform hands-on hazardous waste remediation. Find an appropriate volunteer opportunity by typing in your zip code or register to volunteer with one of the Gulf Coast state service commissions at the website below. Volunteers are also encouraged to support disaster relief organizations responding to the spill and to volunteer with human service agencies and nonprofits in the region that are experiencing increased demand due to the effects of the oil spill. www.serve.gov/oilspill.asp"

***Volunteering to help Haiti***

Visit the American Red Cross for information on how you can join the effort and help Haitians recover from the earthquake that devastated their nation.