Disaster Volunteers

Disaster Volunteers: Recruiting and Managing People Who Want to Help provides readers with information on why people volunteer, the benefits gained by volunteers and recipients, and how to leverage such good will. Learning lessons from a variety of past disasters, readers will gain realistic insights into the challenges of disaster contexts. Coupled with evidence-based best practices, the book organizes and illustrates the necessary steps needed to recruit, train, manage, reward and retain volunteers throughout the lifecycle of disasters. Sections walk both organizations and individuals through the entire process of volunteer engagement, from recruiting and training, to managing and rewarding/retaining volunteers. This important resource fills an existing gap in books on volunteer disaster management by incorporating research, generating sound recommendations, grounding ideas in a disaster context, and offering an inviting set of examples from which readers can learn. Includes appendix with sample materials that can be used by civic or faith-based organizations Provides case studies that offer first-hand experiences and bring the content to life Includes stepwise advice on how to recruit, train and retain a diverse set of disaster volunteers

Volunteer work can make a difference to those harmed by natural, technological, and human-induced disasters if it is done well. Disaster Volunteers provides readers with information on why people volunteer, the benefits gained by volunteers and recipients, and how to leverage such good will. Learning from a variety of past disasters, readers will gain realistic insights into the challenges of disaster contexts. Equipped with evidence-based best practices, Dr. Phillips organizes and illustrates necessary steps to recruit, train, manage, reward, and retain volunteers throughout the life cycle of disasters. This important resource walks both organizations and individuals through the entire process of volunteer engagement from recruiting and training to managing as well as rewarding and retaining volunteers and provides an engaging and informative set of useful and evidence-based chapters. Disaster Volunteers fills an existing gap in books on volunteer disaster management by incorporating research, generating sound recommendations, grounding ideas in a disaster context, and offering an inviting set of examples from which readers can learn. Includes sample materials for use by emergency managers, emergency managers, civic and faith-based organizations Provides case studies offering first-hand experiences that help bring the content to life Includes stepwise advice to recruit, train, and retain a diverse set of disaster volunteers

While history has identified a need for improved coordination during emergencies, it has also demonstrated that community volunteers positively impact their neighborhoods during times of crisis. Laying out the rationale and process by which emergency managers, community leaders, and non-governmental aid organizations can effectively collaborate and integrate citizen response, Spontaneous Community Volunteers in Disasters explains how to engage, train, and utilize spontaneous unaffiliated community volunteers (SUCV). The book prepares leaders to integrate local volunteers into any scale emergency response. Protocols and flexible management solutions are outlined to ensure safe and effective planning and execution. Work templates provided can be modified to suit the needs of any community. This accessible manual provides the tools to: Assess your agency’s role, tasks, and challenges to meet community needs in a disaster Build a plan for managing SUCVs by developing internal and external protocols Develop effective spot screening and selection methods Engage community members in information-sharing and outreach campaigns Consider policies and procedures that create relevant roles for volunteers and community groups to build a resilient team for disaster recovery Provide National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant answers to address common barriers to using SUCVs Combining field experience and psychosocial research, the book makes a strong case as to why community involvement in disaster response will have a positive impact on a community’s resilient recovery. Praise for Spontaneous Community Volunteers in Disasters: All emergency management coordinators can benefit from this book. —Howard Butt, New Jersey State Police, State CERT Coordinator Lisa Orloff has done an excellent job in both identifying a significant opportunity in emergency response and meticulously outlining how that opportunity can best be leveraged. —Dr. Michael Chumer, New Jersey Institute of Technology The Alliance for Nonprofit Management has nominated the book for the Terry McAdam Award. This award is bestowed upon the Committee's choice for the most inspirational and useful new book published for the nonprofit sector.

ABSTRACT: After hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav thousands of evacuees were brought to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Affiliated and unaffiliated volunteer citizens converged at the shelter to help. This study examines their motives, traits and characteristics and compares them with volunteer information from other disasters across America and world-wide. I wanted to learn more about the people in this area and why they volunteered, what more could be done to keep them involved, and what might make them become affiliated with a national organization if possible. Research was done and a survey was developed to collect data from Sebastian County volunteers. The survey was administered through "Survey Monkey" via the internet as well as by postal mail and distribution through meetings. The data collected from Sebastian County volunteers shows definite correlations between their traits and reasons to volunteer with people who have volunteered at disasters around the world. This research shows that spontaneous volunteers after a disaster have very similar traits no matter where they are from. By showing that these people have many of the same characteristics and reasons for volunteering we can use proven methods to recruit them as organized and affiliated volunteers. The positive and negative responses from the volunteers will help me and other emergency managers see what volunteers really want to accomplish in helping through a disaster event and try to provide a feeling of accomplishment to them so they can be retained and trained better for future disasters. The training of spontaneous volunteers to be ready for the next event only will increase the preparedness of Sebastian County, Arkansas, the region, and the state.

Disaster management is a vibrant and growing field, driven by government spending in the wake of terrorist attacks and environmental debacles, as well as private-sector hiring of risk managers and emergency planners. An ever-increasing number of practicing professionals needs a reference that can provide a solid foundation in ALL major phases of supervision – mitigation, preparedness, response, communications, and recovery. As climate change leads to further costly catastrophes and as countries around the world continue to struggle with terrorism, the demand for solutions will only grow. This revised edition of Coppola’s revered resource meets said demand head-on with more focused, current, thoughtfully analyzed, and effective approaches to disaster relief. Expanded coverage of global approaches to disaster management with enhanced data and research on disasters around the world, including Cyclone Nargis, the H1N1 pandemic, and the tsunami in American Samoa More material on risk management, mitigation, myths that affect behavior during crises, and post-disaster evaluation of the response Up-to-date information on the role of aid organizations and international financial institutions like the World Bank in disaster response, as well as commentary on the latest research in disaster management and policy studies

Provides an overview of the various types of disasters that mayoccur, the myriad of actors that are involved in emergencymanagement, and the diverse theoretical frameworks from whichpost-disaster activities may be approached. • Includes updated chapters keeping the material freshand accessible while incorporating recent changes in policy and newresearch • Highlights lessons learned from such incidents andcatastrophes as: Hurricane Katrina, Earthquake in Haiti, Parkinglot collapse in Miami, West Texas industrial explosion, Train wreckin Spain, Aurora movie shooting, Times Square bombing, etc. • Examines typical challenges to be expected duringresponse efforts along with tools and techniques to enhance theability to protect lives, reduce property damage and minimizedisruption • Includes an instructor package which contains: Sample Syllabus, Teaching Suggestions, Test bank, and PowerPoints

The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan plunged the country into a state of crisis. As the nation struggled to recover from a record breaking magnitude 9 earthquake and a tsunami that was as high as thirty-eight meters in some places, news trickled out that Fukushima had experienced meltdowns in three reactors. These tragic catastrophes claimed some 20,000 lives, initially displacing some 500,000 people and overwhelming Japan's formidable disaster preparedness. This book brings together the analysis and insights of a group of distinguished experts on Japan to examine what happened, how various institutions and actors responded and what lessons can be drawn from Japan’s disaster. The contributors, many of whom experienced the disaster first hand, assess the wide-ranging repercussions of this catastrophe and how it is already reshaping Japanese culture, politics, energy policy, and urban planning.

Disaster relief volunteers share their accounts of helping others.

Volunteering and its nonprofit organizations have commonly been analyzed in economic terms, with volunteering being referred to as "unpaid (productive) work". This economic definition has been around far longer than that of volunteering conceived of as leisure, which is discussed as the volitional definition. By means of a lengthy literature review, this book sets out the theoretical and empirical contributions of the serious leisure perspective to understanding volunteer motivation. This second approach began more than 40 years ago. It answers the key motivational question of why people engage in unpaid productive work, laborious or not. Since in this conception payment in cash or in kind is not an incentive to perform such work, what encourages people to volunteer? The serious leisure perspective, unlike mainstream economics, can shed considerable light on this question.

Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Gregory Ciottone, and Associate Editors, Dr. Philip D. Anderson, Dr. Erik Auf Der Heide, Dr. Robert G. Darling, Dr. Irving Jacoby, Dr. Eric Noji, and Dr. Selim Suner, recognized worldwide as authorities in the field, bring you this brand-new reference, which offers comprehensive yet succinct guidance on the preparation, assessment, and management of a full range of disasters, both natural and man-made (including terrorist attacks and the threat of biological warfare). More than 200 contributors carefully outline the basics of disaster management and provide guidance on more than 100 specific disaster situations. Part 1 offers an A to Z source for information on every aspect of disaster medicine and management. Part 2 features an exhaustive compilation of every conceivable disaster event, organized to facilitate fast reference in a real-time setting. The second part of the book also serves as a quick consult on disaster medicine. Presents a full range of coverage from the basics of disaster medicine to more advanced concepts, such as tactical EMS, hazard vulnerability analysis, impact of disaster on children, and more. Discusses identification of risks, planning of organization and equipment, and education and training. Includes individual Concepts and Events sections that provide information on the general approach to disaster medicine and practical information on specific disasters. Offers comprehensive coverage of natural disasters, accidental disasters, transportation disasters, and intentional events. Includes an exhaustive list of chapters on the conceivable chemical and biologic weapons known today. Features a practical chapter organization throughout that covers description of event, pre-incident considerations, post-incident considerations, medical treatment of casualties, unique considerations, pitfalls, case presentations, and suggested reading. Discusses the management of future events, or possible scenarios, for which there is no precedent.

Japan was shaken by the 'double disaster' of earthquake and sarin gas attack in 1995, and in 2011 it was hit once again by the 'triple disaster' of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. This international, multi-disciplinary group of scholars examines the state and societal responses to the disasters and social crisis.

In the 1930s, the U.S. government began providing funds for disaster repairs. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are needed to assist in relief operations when disasters occur in the United States. Learn how volunteers can help relief efforts during a crisis in Disaster Relief Volunteer. Each book in the Volunteer Jobs series focuses on the importance of voluntarism, while offering detailed descriptions of volunteer positions and advice for how to apply for them.

This study sought to identify factors that attract unpaid volunteers and influence them to continue in service as Red Cross disaster relief workers. An evaluation of current literature focusing on the relationship between organizational identification, its expression as commitment, and satisfaction with the job pointed to the development of six research questions. Based on a modified version of the OIQ, research questions centered on how competing identities and interpersonal relationships with co-workers influence commitment and identification. In addition, a series of open-ended questions provided volunteers the opportunity to express their personal feelings about the organization. Results showed that the high levels of identification and commitment among this group of volunteers was not influenced by their employment status or involvement with other voluntary organizations. Emerging from the data as important factors in volunteers' decision to stay with the organization was the importance of relationships with fellow disaster workers and paid staff as well as a strong emotional attachment to the history and mission of the Red Cross.

Following a disaster, waves of helpers and voluntary organizations often converge to the disaster area and provide immediate assistance and emotional support to survivors. This study expands on previous research related to disaster volunteerism and reentry experiences. It contributes to knowledge related to permanent disaster volunteer reintegration and resilience. Using data collected from in-depth interviews with 25 volunteers from Team Rubicon, a national disaster response nonprofit, results suggest that volunteers engaged in additional volunteer activities and communicated with fellow volunteers as strategies for successful post-operation reintegration. Drawing on social capital theory, bonding and bridging capital played a crucial role in the development of resilience among volunteers. This study's findings are critical, given the reliance on volunteers in the disaster response and recovery process and the need to ensure the mental well-being, not only of disaster survivors, but also disaster volunteers. To best promote the resilience capacity among volunteers, organizations should focus on the volunteer experience related to billet conditions, diversity of membership and volunteer roles, development of organizational trust, and appreciation of volunteer service throughout the volunteer's membership. Future research should expand on these findings by quantitatively exploring the volunteer reentry experience with a larger sample of volunteers associated with a range of organizations and the role that linking capital may have in influencing the volunteer reentry experience.

Disaster recovery is often unplanned for in the emergency management life cycle. Yet recovery is the key stage where funds, programs, professional expertise, and volunteer efforts are applied to affected cities, states, and regions to get them up and running again. Providing a unique perspective on a highly focused area, Disaster Recovery is the first core text that tackles the myriad recovery issues faced by federal, state, and local emergency managers, public officials, and voluntary organizations in a long-term disaster recovery situation. The book takes a holistic approach, integrating the various challenges of recovery such as housing, the infrastructure, and workplaces. Disaster Recovery emphasizes three key themes by integrating vulnerable populations into each chapter, stressing the importance of tying mitigation measures into every aspect of recovery, and encouraging rebuilding in environmentally sustainable ways. Coverage includes topics such as recovery planning, housing, debris management, business and private sector recovery, public/governmental recovery and operations, historical and cultural preservation, environmental recovery, social and psychological recovery and services, voluntary non-governmental organizations (NGOs), federal assistance programs, grant-writing, and donations management. Pedagogical tools to clarify concepts Each chapter features pedagogy to encourage comprehension and retention, including key terms, learning objectives, highlighted practical applications, review questions, a summary, and references. Numerous classic and recent case studies ensure concepts are fully explained and illustrated. In addition, PowerPoint® slides are also available for adopters. Designed for professional and classroom use, this volume thoroughly covers the disaster recovery process, offering vital insight into the evolving field of emergency management.

This is the first concise introduction to emergency management, the emerging profession that deals with disasters from floods and earthquakes to terrorist attacks. Coverage includes: --The history of emergency management and its evolution from volunteer effort to trained intervention; --Organization of emergency management systems -- local, state, regional, national, international; governmental, for-profit, and nonprofit; --Managing natural disasters -- floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, avalanches, etc.; --Managing manmade disasters -- civil defense, terrorism, hazardous materials accidents, fires, structural failures, nuclear accidents, transportation disasters; --Policy issues in the management of risk, emergencies, and disasters; --Disaster management in the Twenty-first Century-- technological and political challenges. Twenty case studies illustrate the handling of actual disasters including the Northridge Earthquake and the Oklahoma City Bombing. Discussion questions and guides to on-line information sources facilitate use of the book in the classroom and professional training programs.

Since the first edition of The Human Side of Disaster was published in 2009, new catastrophes have plagued the globe, including earthquakes in Haiti and New Zealand, tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri, floods in numerous locations, Hurricane Sandy, and the infamous BP oil spill. Enhanced with new cases and real-world examples, The Human Side of Disaster, Second Edition presents an updated summary of the social science knowledge base of human responses to disaster. Dr. Drabek draws upon his 40-plus years of conducting research on individual, group, and organizational responses to disaster to illustrate and integrate key insights from the social sciences to teach us how to anticipate human behaviors in crisis. The book begins with a series of original short stories rooted within actual disaster events. These stories are woven into the entire text to demonstrate essential findings from the research literature. Dr. Drabek provides an overview of the range of disasters and hazards confronting the public and an explanation of why these are increasing each year, both in number and scope of impact. The core of the book is a summary of key findings regarding disaster warning responses, evacuation behavior, initial post-impact survival behavior, traditional and emergent roles of volunteers, and both short-term and longer-term disaster impacts. The theme of "organized-disorganization" is used to illustrate multiorganizational response networks that form the key managerial task for local emergency managers. The final chapter provides a new vision for the emergency management profession—one that reflects a more strategic approach wherein disasters are viewed as non-routine social problems. This book will continue to be an invaluable reference for professionals and students in emergency management and public policy and aid organizations who need to understand human behavior and how best to communicate and work with the public in disaster situations.