One Thing Wednesday: Get Out and Volunteer

DEM Blogger

August 26, 2015

The Do 1 Thing site won the Awareness to Action category of FEMA’s 2014 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. It’s a 12-month program of small steps that you can take to increase your personal and household preparedness. Throughout 2015, DEM will feature Do 1 Thing items during our weekly blog post series of One Thing Wednesdays. Check back here every week for a new preparedness activity or tip!

Managing emergencies response requires more than just police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Citizens who are committed to their community’s well-being are critical in every stage of a disaster, from preparations before the event to the weeks or months of recovery. For August, we’re looking at ways you can get involved to make your own community more resilient – and to acquire connections and skills that will make your own household more prepared.

Earlier this month, we talked about our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program as one way you can get involved in your community and learn about emergency preparedness. Many other organizations in Lexington also offer ways to become more prepared or to help out our public safety colleagues. Check out:

• LPD’s Citizen Police Academy;
• LFD’s Citizen Fire Academy;
• The Fayette Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC);
• The Civil Air Patrol’s Kentucky Wing;
• The Medical Reserve Corps; and
• The American Red Cross.

If you’re interested in disaster response work with one of these groups, don’t wait until a major emergency to sign up. Volunteer organizations won’t send untrained volunteers into disaster areas. Have your training squared away well in advance.