Students earning degrees in emergency management are developing plans to help citizens and communities cope in the face of hazards and natural disasters. For example, these students must consider acts of terrorism, large-scale fires, industrial accidents and natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. This is a broad range of possible emergency situations, and management students must learn how to properly prepare for all of these types of emergencies. One of the best methods for getting experience includes taking on volunteer positions. Here are five areas where emergency management students can gain valuable experience while volunteering.
1. Medical Reserve Corps
Members of the Medical Reserve Corps receive either individual or team training to gain the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to begin assisting in activities intended to improve public health in their own communities. The specific role of each MRC member depends on his or her background interests and skills in addition to the local needs. Many members are nurses, therapists and public health officials, but there are also students and volunteers without any formal medical training. MRC units are lead by local coordinators who have contacts with local hospitals, health departments and other organizations that coordinate emergency services.
2. AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)
The AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time residential program designed for men and women age 18-24. Team leaders can be any age. There are five campuses or home bases across the United States where the individuals live. These volunteers work in partnership with non-profit groups to address any pressing community needs, including disaster relief. AmeriCorps NCCC members dedicate themselves to 10 months of service; team leaders offer 11 months. Previous Corps activities include: installing sandbags, educating about energy conservation, distributing donated food in affected areas and rebuilding damaged housing and landscapes.
3. American Red Cross
Nearly 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce is comprised of volunteers who have responded to nearly 70,000 disasters each year. Although best known for its efforts to collect blood donations, the Red Cross often focuses on home and apartment fires, but it also responds to tornado and hurricane relief. Volunteers work to provide disaster services, education about preventing disasters and general management and recordkeeping. Volunteers are need across the United States to provide these services and to take part in the Disaster Action Team, a group designed to specifically address single-family fires.
4. Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster
The Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD) collaborates with national volunteer opportunities to coordinate response and action in the event of a disaster. While the group does not necessarily work on its own, it does list a variety of volunteer opportunities that could utilize emergency management students. For example, when a tornado hits an area of the country, VOAD lists local volunteer needs for those interested. This groups serves as a place to connect community needs with available volunteers.
5. Community Emergency Response Teams
The United States FEMA organization offers opportunities to serve through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Not only does CERT educate individuals about being prepared for disasters, it also provides trainings for fire safety, search and rescue efforts and disaster medical operations. Following this basic training, CERT volunteers are able to support local emergency response agencies by taking active roles in the management and disaster relief efforts. People of all physical abilities and ages, including teenagers, are able to apply and participate in CERT volunteer opportunities.
The best way to handle an emergency or a disaster is to have people there who are trained and able to help quickly and effectively. Emergency management students are especially qualified to participate in volunteer programs and efforts thanks to their extensive training and understanding of disaster relief.