Finding volunteer and service opportunities after a flood damage disaster strikes the community

2/17/2023 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton highlights ways people can help their local communities when storms and flooding strike.

The professionals at SERVPRO® of Carrollton know that the flood damage restoration process after a storm and flood damage requires a team effort. When a disaster affects hundreds or thousands of people, community support is crucial for a speedy recovery. A storm or flood disaster is not preventable. But when disaster strikes, communities and towns can and do unite in a common effort to rebuild, restore, and recover from the effects of the disaster.

Below are several practical ways neighbors, friends, and strangers can come together to help one another recover from a storm and flood damage disaster in Carriage Hill Plano, TX, and the surrounding area.

#1. Volunteer in the CERT Program

“CERT” is the acronym for the Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer training and mobilization effort organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The mission of CERT is to educate volunteers in the areas of preparation, response, and recovery from man-made or natural disasters. The training is thorough and intensive, covering a wide range of activities, including hands-on practice and realistic drills and exercises. Over 600,000 amazing, selfless community members trained in the CERT program have volunteered to assist their neighbors in need. Since CERT’s inception, CERT volunteers have sprung into action in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Volunteers receive education and skill-building techniques from CERT courses taught by instructors who are first responders and other qualified personnel. The course curriculum for CERT training includes the following:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire prevention and suppression
• First aid and simple medical procedures
• Basic search and rescue activities
• The identification of traumatic stress in disaster victims and rescue workers

CERT offers a unified curriculum in which participants all learn the same knowledge and obtain the same skill sets. However, local and state program managers have the freedom to customize the programs to meet the unique needs of their own communities. To find a program in the Carrollton area, contact FEMA or the local emergency manager.

#2. Take part in a CASPER event

The CDC initiated “CASPER” (Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response) with two goals in view:

• Rapid assessment of community needs in the disaster zone
• Close monitoring of changes in needs while in recovery

A CASPER interviews personnel from the different federal governmental levels to assist in organizing an emergency response and to serve families needing immediate attention. A CASPER can also be held after teams have been deployed to assess the continuing needs in the community. The post-disaster follow-up allows affected areas to obtain additional supplies and support as needed.

CASPER serves multi-faceted needs in both affected and unaffected areas. The assessment can be employed to determine critical data such as the following:

• Strategies for future emergency response preparedness
• Estimates of the needs of communities
• Assessment of public health perceptions

Personnel who represent a health department and are interested in training in CASPER can reach out to the CDC. Online learning opportunities are available for CASPER.

#3. Partner with the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is historic in its response to the needs of people affected by a disaster. By partnering with this organization, an effective response can be mounted that directly addresses the immediate needs of the community when a disaster strikes. Ninety percent of the Red Cross’ workforce who courageously and selflessly respond to nearly 64,000 disasters yearly are volunteers.

Volunteers can work with the American Red Cross in any of the following capacities:

• Disaster preparedness presenter
• Volunteer management
• Disaster services

Visit the website of the American Red Cross for additional information about how and where to volunteer in the Carrollton area.

Texans respond in a big way to disasters at home and abroad. Deep pockets, Texas-sized hearts, and many strong backs, hands, and feet come together, neighbors serving neighbors in their time of need.

SERVPRO of Carrollton is committed to providing a rapid response and restoration process so that disaster-stricken residents can overcome the disruption, inconvenience, and stress that accompany fire damage, smoke damage, water damage, storm damage, or flood damage disaster. Preparedness is the foundation of a successful response and recovery period. Start by calling and pre-qualifying SERVPRO of Carrollton as the dedicated property damage cleanup and restoration company. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, a SERVPRO crew of IICRC-certified technicians arrive on the scene in about an hour or so. The best equipment, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced cleaning techniques come together to tackle the worst disaster.

To learn more about Plano, TX, flood restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by calling (972) 446-0383 or emailing office@SERVPRO10952.com.