National Preparedness Month is fully underway and this week we ask that you think about how you can prepare for a disaster or emergency by getting involved in your community.
#NatlPrep, www.ready.gov/September
Many volunteer opportunities exist so that you can get involved and help build capacity for first responders. With proper training and education, civilian volunteers expand the resources available to states and local communities. Many organizations offer public education, outreach and training for free.
Below you will find several organizations that provide volunteer opportunities. For more information on how to get involved or find an organization near you, visit https://www.serve.gov/.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
- Get CERT<https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/searchCert.do?submitByZip> trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
American Red Cross
- Get trained in CPR and basic first aid and volunteer to help mass care and sheltering operations at your local American Red Cross Chapter<https://www.redcross.org/en/volunteer>.
Meals on Wheels Association of America
- Meals on Wheels Association of America<https://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=212> and the MOWAA volunteers provide meals and essential disaster preparedness information to over one million seniors in the U.S. each day.
For more information on National Preparedness Month and MAPC’s Homeland Security work, be sure to visit the MAPC Homeland Security page<https://www.mapc.org/homelandsecurity> and MAPC blog<https://planning101.mapc.org/>. Also, don’t forget to check out the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council’s updates on twitter<https://twitter.com/nerac_hs> and facebook<https://www.facebook.com/NERAC.HS/>.