Volunteer Training

Team members go ahead of chain saw and mud-out teams to evaluate damage and inform follow-up teams on scope of each job, including equipment that will be needed.

The chain saw team removes damaged trees and other debris blocking doorways and/or driveways, trees leaning against homes, and limbs broken through roofs or causing a hazard in yards.  Experience in operating a chain saw  is desirable, but not mandatory.

Members must be willing to attend training sessions in chain saw operation and safety and must be able to endure strenuous outdoor work.

On the job, every volunteer must put safety first.  Team members are expected to be constantly on the alert for hazards and take the necessary precautions to protect both self and others.  Volunteers are required to use safety hear to protect hands, head, ears, and eyes, as will as wear the proper clothing including chaps.

This group of volunteers cleans out houses, garages, sheds, barns, yards, streets and community areas, helping people to have a safe environment after a disaster has occurred.  Often the job is to gut-out a flooded building, preparing it for repair.

Members must be in good physical condition and willing to work in unpleasant, dirty situations.  Volunteers need to be conscious of health and safety hazards, taking necessary measures in order to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way.

This team gives aid to relief workers and others who are in need by providing showers and laundry support in the disaster area.  The trailers have private shower stalls as well as washing machines, dryers, storage and folding areas.  Volunteers receive and assist those requesting their services, do laundry, sanitize showers, empty trash, replace needed supplies, and keep the trailer area neat.

Child care volunteers provide a calm atmosphere and competent, loving care for children.  Care is provided to give parents the opportunity to salvage remains of belongings, meet with helping agencies and insurance representatives, and take care of other business.

Team members will travel to the disaster site and establish a child care center in temporary space, using books, toys and other resources that they will take to the disaster site.  The center is set up in the best available space adjacent to the areas to be serviced.  It may be located in a school, church or business that is unaffected by the disaster.  Volunteers will care for the children during the day.  The center is usually open from 8:30 am to 5:40 pm.

Child care volunteers should love children and have previous experience working with preschoolers and elementary-age children.  Team members must consent to a background check before serving.

This group provides clean water after a disaster has occurred.  Portable water purification units are used to sanitize available water on location, making it safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and other uses.

The MRC is made up of DR trained volunteers prepared to give medical aid to disaster victims.  They have been approved by Homeland Security for this service.  Some are licensed or certified in some field of medical care, but others serve as secondary personnel to make the team’s effort more efficient and to care for more victims.

There must be a physician on every team, but any person who is interested can be a member.  Anyone who is willing to do whatever is needed can be part of the team.  Some orientation in disaster clinics is desirable.  The more medical knowledge one has, the more helpful they can be.  Professional people can be more efficient and see more patients if they have additional help.  After attending the Medical Reserve Corps training at an Oklahoma Disaster Relief training session, an application must be filed with the ODRMRC and OMRC.  Volunteers must be fully documented in Disaster Relief and MRC prior to being deployed on a team.  Once the documentation is completed and a background check is done the volunteer is ready to serve.  Personal certifications and passport should be kept current.