After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step: get training in first aid and emergency response and get involved in preparing your community.
GET TRAINING
The American Red Cross offers a wide range of courses and gives people the skills to face emergency situations with confidence. Visit your local American Red Cross chapter website for information on training courses offered.
VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is a collaboration of a diverse group of organizations and citizens trained to meet community needs should a large-scale natural or man-made disaster occur. As a VOAD volunteer, you will get training in disaster response and recovery including safety, mass care and shelter operations. There is also a full day of standardized American Red Cross training on First Aid, CPR, and AED. Get more information and get involved. Call 215-299-4054 or visit VOAD.
Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety. For more information or to get involved visit "www.citizencorps.gov to find your local Citizen Corps council.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Helping others feels good, and helps you feel good about yourself. Your local Red Cross and other recognized volunteer organizations can work with you to provide rewarding experiences, opportunities to utilize your talents, or provide training to help you serve your community.
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Division
215-787-2800
www.salvationarmyphiladelphia.org
New Jersey Division
908-851-9300
www.newjerseysalvationarmy.org
Before going to volunteer at a relief organization, hospital or disaster site after a disaster, wait for instructions from local officials.
Be patient. After a disaster, there are often many people waiting to volunteer. There may be a greater need for volunteers in the weeks and months after a disaster.
MAKE A DONATION
Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Español)
You can help by donating money to a disaster relief organization. They will know where help is needed and what kind.
Before donating any goods, including food or clothing, find out from local officials or the specific organization if they need your donation. Sometimes, the cost to sort, package and distribute these types of donations to disaster victims is greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally. If you would like to discuss this type of donation, please contact your local Red Cross Chapter.