Service Tree

The Service Tree lists all services in "branched" groups, starting with the very general and moving to the very specific. Click on the name of any group name to see the sub-groups available within it. Click on a service code to see its details and the providers who offer that service.

Service Tree
Individual and Family Life
Volunteer Opportunities
Disaster/Emergency Services Volunteer Opportunities (this page)

Disaster/Emergency Services Volunteer Opportunities

Related services

Emergency Management Associations

Disaster Services

Hazardous Materials Cleanup Volunteer Opportunities

Debris Removal Volunteer Opportunities

Disaster Preparedness/Mitigation Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration to help communities make preparations prior to a disaster or large-scale emergency that will reduce the impact of specific incidents when they do occur. Volunteers may be asked to fill sandbags, install water diversion devices and take other steps to temporarily mitigate the effects of expected events such as flooding and mudflows that are likely to occur during heavy rains in areas devastated by fires; or, if they have the requisite skills, may work on long-term mitigation projects designed to reduce future losses to homes, businesses, schools, public buildings and critical facilities from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and other natural disasters.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to help clear away rubble and clean up the community, sort and pack donated goods or other materials, or tackle other jobs involving manual labor in the aftermath of a disaster or other emergency.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to use their expertise in the areas of building and construction in the aftermath of a disaster or other emergency.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to conduct building and/or mobile home inspections following a major disaster or large-scale emergency to evaluate their structural integrity and overall safety, to certify those that are safe to inhabit and to close and/or condemn those that are unsafe to enter. Inspectors look for structural damage including damage to foundations, floors, load-bearing walls, ceilings, and roofs as well as damage to components of fixed utilities such as gas, electric, water and sewage and/or installed heating and cooling systems; and write and submit damage assessment reports.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration to provide protection, supervision, care and support for individuals and families, (particularly children, older adults, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations) in the aftermath of a disaster or other emergency.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals who are willing to support food distribution and meal programs on a voluntary basis without remuneration in the aftermath of a disaster or other emergency.

Organizations at the state/local level that are actively seeking doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration to augment permanent staff in hospitals and clinics in the event of a public health crisis such as a flu pandemic or a major medical emergency caused by a bioterrorist attack or natural disaster. Volunteers may be asked to dispense medication, administer immunizations, care for people who are ill or injured or provide other related services.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration to provide crisis intervention and counseling services for individuals and families who are attempting to deal with their fears and other negative psychological after-effects of a disaster or other emergency.

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with a valid driver license and current insurance who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to provide transportation or transportation related services in the aftermath of a disaster or other emergency.

Disaster Service Center/Hotline Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration handling telephone or in-person inquiries from people in communities that have been devastated by a major fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, famine, explosion or nuclear accident, the outbreak of civil unrest, or other large-scale emergency of natural or human origin that disrupts the community's normal functioning. Disaster service center/hotline volunteers make an assessment of each person’s situation and provide them with the information they request and/or refer them to organizations whose services can meet their disaster-related needs.

Evacuation Center/Shelter Assistance Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to work in evacuation centers following a disaster or other widespread emergency and provide a wide range of services for individuals and families living in temporary or semi-permanent shelter situations. Tasks may include opening shelter sites, handling registration, distributing supplies and commodities, arranging for snacks and meals, designating sleeping areas, providing support for people in the shelter, and closing shelter sites when they are no longer needed. Volunteers in this position must be able to work with diverse populations under conditions that are sometimes difficult and stressful.

Fire/Rescue Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to serve as or support the activities of firefighters, search and rescue personnel and paramedics/EMTs who are responsible for preventing, investigating, controlling and extinguishing fires and/or saving people who are ill, stranded, lost, accident victims or exposed to other life threatening dangers.

Safety/Disaster Education Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills and experience who are willing, on a voluntary basis without remuneration, to develop educational materials or training programs that make individuals, families and communities aware of the measures people can take to reduce the risk of fires or accidents in the home, at school, at work, in the air or on the water or while walking, driving or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle; and/or which provide instructions for preparing for and surviving an accident, major disaster or other emergency should one occur.