Volunteers possess a vast amount of untapped potential. Countless efforts in wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery rely on volunteerism. These individuals bring a diverse range of abilities, enthusiasm, vision, and drive to the realm of fire adaptation – and it’s not uncommon for staff members to have begun their careers as volunteers.
A well-planned and executed approach to engaging volunteers can aid in their success and contribute to the growth and sustainability of wildfire resilience work in your community. To help get you started with coordinating and managing volunteer efforts in your neighborhoods and communities, here are a few resources for you.
NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR
RESOURCE GUIDES AND WEBINARS
MAP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The Map Your Neighborhood program teaches neighbors to rely on each other during the hours or days before the fire, medical, police or utility responders arrive. It is designed to improve disaster readiness at the neighborhood level, 15-20 homes, or a defined area that you can canvas in 1 hour. In this webinar, learn more about the origins of the program, how it works, and how two communities in Washington are using the program to identify neighborhood leaders and coordinate emergency preparedness and response efforts for wildfire and other disasters.
Webinar Panelists: Kiana Kabanje, Disaster Preparedness Outreach Program Manager, Washington Emergency Management Division; Leslie Dempsey, Whatcom County Fire District 11; Joan Moye, Whatcom County Fire District 11; Jessica Rounds, Disaster Case Manager, Okanogan County Long Term Recovery
