Disaster
Response
How to Volunteer
1.
Complete
& submit Volunteer
Form.
2.
Read Information for Disaster Relief Volunteers.
(see below)
Anyone interested in volunteering
in the response efforts,
please contact:
Disaster Response Manager
Andrea
Babin
relief@worldhope.net
or
(866) 373-1559
Disaster
Relief Volunteer - Workers Information
Thank
you so much for your willingness to give your time
and energy to this massive mission of providing relief
for those affected by a disaster. In an effort
to make your visit as effective, efficient, and safe
as possible, we have prepared these guidelines.
Caution:
People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing
conditions, cancer patients taking chemotherapy; and
people who have received an organ transplant or have
chronic lung disease are more susceptible to mold
infections. If you have these conditions it
is not advisable that you participate in cleanup of
any mold-damaged homes. Please understand,
you may be working in a very warm climate. Severe
heat exhaustion and dehydration can cause severe illness
if not properly addressed.
Important
Site Information:
-
Volunteers
must be 18 years or older.
-
A
suggested donation of $20/day per person is requested
to cover the cost of food and utilities.
-
Children
are not allowed at the staging site.
What
to take
-
Medical
insurance card.
-
Sleeping
bag and/or air mattress & pillow.
-
Supply
of rubber gloves (heavy, long-sleeved –
not thin, clear plastic) & work gloves.
-
Clear
safety glasses.
-
Mosquito
repellent with DEET.
-
Hard
soled work boot for the entire time.
-
Sunscreen
(SPF 15 or higher).
-
Pair
of long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
-
Shower
shoes.
-
Alcohol-based
hand cleaner/sanitizer and/or hand rubs with alcohol.
-
Clorox
Bleach wipes.
-
Protein
bars, peanut butter crackers in the event that
meals are far apart.
-
Flashlight
and batteries.
-
First-aid
kit (individual or for your team).
-
Towel/wash
cloth and personal toiletries.
-
Case
of bottled water - per person.
-
Please
pack only what you need: space may be limited.
What
to do prior to going
-
IMPORTANT
– We are asking all volunteers
to be updated within 5 years on their Tetanus/Diphtheria
vaccine.
-
Assess
your own health and become as fit as possible.
-
Prepare
yourself mentally and physically. You may
be working 12-14 hours/day in extreme circumstances.
-
Recruit
people to pray for you while gone.
-
Take
your medical insurance card
-
Designate
cooks for the week .
Expenses
Supplies
for Mudout (gutting) Teams ONLY
-
Crowbars
-
Hammer
-
Wheelbarrows
-
Work Gloves
-
Work Boots
-
Flat Shovel
-
Plastic Gloves
-
Respirator Masks
Precautions
-
Drink
and use only water that is safe; this includes
water used in brushing your teeth.
-
Realize
the risk for injury may be high. Use extra
precaution in the tasks you are performing.
-
If
installing generators, remember that if portable
generators are improperly sized, installed, or
operated they can send power back to the electrical
lines.
-
Battery-powered
flashlights and lanterns should be use, rather
than candles, gas lanterns, or torches.
Working
Together for Maximum Effectiveness
-
Have
an attitude of helping, not of taking over or
reorganizing. You may be asked to lead,
and suggestions are good—but wait until
you are asked.
-
Be
willing to do whatever tasks are needed.
-
Be
prepared for extreme heat, and know the signs
of heat exhaustion.
-
Be
willing to just listen.
-
Flexibility
is a key word! Many, including yourself,
will be physically and emotionally drained.
Be patient and tolerant towards one another.
-
Cameras
and video should be used with discretion.
-
Remember
levels of stress could be high.
-
Respect
one another’s space and personal property.
You will be in close sleeping and living quarters.
Handling
Tools
-
Never
yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle.
-
Keep
cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges (including
the cutting surface of a power saw or drill).
-
Disconnect
tools when not in use, before servicing, and when
changing accessories such as blades, bits, etc.
-
Avoid
accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the
switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
-
Use
gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using
electric tools.
-
Store
electric tools in a dry place when not in use.
-
Do
not use electric tools in damp or wet locations
unless they are approved for that purpose.
-
Keep
work areas well lighted when operating electric
tools.
-
Ensure
that cords from electric tools do not present
a tripping hazard.
-
Remove
all damaged portable electric tools from use and
tag them: "Do Not Use."
-
Use
Double-Insulated Tools
Health
& Safety Precautions
-
If
you get a cut or scrape, clean wound immediately
with soap and clean water and/or Clorox bleach
wipes. Failure to do so could lead to infections,
including a serious staph infection. In
flooded environments the risk of these infections
is high.
-
Even
though hands may not be visibly soiled, wash them
often; clean with sanitizer or hand rubs when
soap and water are not available.
-
Be
responsible with tools. There may be some
equipment you will need to get permission to use.
-
Drink
a lot of water – keep yourself hydrated.
When
Returning Home
-
Because
we cannot predetermine the tasks volunteers will
be doing, we have asked you to bring supplies
for most tasks. If you did not use these,
and do not plan to return, we would appreciate
your donating these for future use at our site.
Upon
Your Return Home
-
After
you have returned home from the disaster area,
be alert to symptoms such as fever, rash, or respiratory
illness. If you develop these or any other
unusual symptoms, seek health care and inform
the doctor of this relief work.
-
Debrief
with your team as soon as possible after your
trip. You will be seeing much devastation
and trauma, and it will be a deeply emotional
time for you as you interact with people who have
lost everything and who feel hopeless. Share
with your family and/or friends about your experiences
to release your feelings and emotions.
Click
here to fill out our Volunteer form |
