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Tornados, floods, earthquakes…You never know when the next disaster will strike, that's why Hoosier volunteers are preparing.
Organization is critical during a disaster aftermath and the United Way of Central Indiana is working with volunteers to assure they are ready to respond.
On Tuesday, “reservist” training helped about 30 volunteers who have committed to operating a Volunteer Reception Center when and if one needs to be activated in Central Indiana.
The last time that happened was during the 2008 flooding in Morgan County, when Dianna Roy’s home was seriously damaged.
"We know the real importance of having a volunteer center in the counties in times of disaster," Roy says.
One problem when disaster strikes involve well-meaning people who want to help but only add to the crisis by getting in the way of relief efforts. Volunteer John Baldwin says a Disaster Reservist helps coordinate would be volunteers.
"Teams would be faced with their own neighbors coming out, so not only would they want to take care of the problems that are there," says Baldwin, "they want to use the volunteers and they want to help them be safe."
An exercise is planned for March 14, to discuss plans and prepare a mock Volunteer Reception Center.
Around 100 people will be needed for that event. More information is online at uwci.org.
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