Identify Local Partners

Prepare Yourself and Identify Local Resources

Check out the organizations already doing good work.  Many existing service groups have identified community needs and have built the expertise to provide solutions and there may already be an active volunteer group that you could join.  A few phone calls or scanning a few websites can identify local groups and volunteer opportunities. 

• Visit www.CitizenCorps.gov to find local Citizen Corps Councils, USAonWatch (Neighborhood Watch) groups, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Fire Corps programs, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) programs and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units.  Ask them what you can do to prepare and train yourself and your community for disasters and how to get involved locally. 
• Contact local chapters of Citizen Corps Affiliates, such as the American Red Cross and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for local disaster preparedness and response service opportunities. Find more information at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/partnersandaffiliates/. Be sure to ask the organization for items they might need. 
• You can also get in touch with your local fire department, police department, paramedics, or emergency management agency to discuss ways to prepare your community and improve its capacity to respond to and recover from disaster.
• Once you’ve identified the appropriate community-based organizations, search their website or give them a call to see how you can better prepare yourself and how you can help your community. You can use the Sample Phone Script below.