Volunteerism

Volunteering, in this day and age, is less frequently thought of than yester year. There are several reasons that come to mind why people don't volunteer. Everyone works and some of us have two jobs just to pay all the bills and another is people are generally less able to commit the time and energy to devote to volunteering. Many think that it is the community leaders responsibility to provide for these services and also believe that they are included in their taxes. Not necessarily so. In some larger communities this may be true but in most smaller towns it is the volunteer that provides these emergency services.

The emergency services that you enjoy on a day to day basis, basically comes straight from the President of the United States or Congress in the form of an executive order or a law. The power to enforce these are given to different agencies but the main one is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ( http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm ) One of the departments main objectives is to make sure that all the emergency services, from federal government all the way down to the individual volunteer, is taken into account and utilized in a modular and scalable manner. Such a system is the NIMS system, National Incident Management System.

Each state must fulfill it's responsibilites under the DHS to receive federal funding for compliance and thus passes some of these responsibilities onto the individual counties and towns.

Many towns, villages, boroughs and alike cannot foot the bill for paid crews and would find it difficult finding the tax monies to supply all the services.

This is where the Volunteer comes in. For a fraction of the cost of paid services, a volunteer undergoes the same training (usually for free) yet they respond for free or close to it.

The question to ask is: Does your town have a need that does not exist or are all the emergency services in place right now? Either way you can help your community. If you see a need and find a way to provide for that need you will have to build from the ground up but usually there is a template for success and no need to re-invent the wheel. On the other hand you could join an existing volunteer group / organization and serve the community through these means.

Now you might ask which one do I consider? This depends on your limitations. Let me say this again. THIS DEPENDS ON YOUR LIMITATIONS. If you don't like heights don't join the fire department, if you don't like blood don't become an emergency medical technician. Review your limitations and make sure you also take into account any medical conditions that may restrict you. If all you can do is file paperwork that should be ok. Just ask the organization.

Now you know your limitations and any medical issues and you are ready to help. I would suggest in finding a town need and fulfilling it. If everyone is on the fire department and the ambulance organization needs volunteers it might be more better to volunteer for the ambulance company. It's nice to join where your friends have joined but don't be afraid of making new friends or going against the grain and joining a different organization. Another idea is to join as a family. Do it together and enjoy what you do for the community with your family.

Here are some organizations that may be local to you, yet they might be under a different name.

Fire Department
HAZMAT
Rescue
Ambulance / Emergency Medical Technician
OEMS -- Office of Emergency Management Services
CERT -- Community Emergency Response Team
First Responder
Police Reserves
Ladies Auxiliary

Each has its own requirements dictated usually by the state and also has their own requirement for their organization. Inquire within the different services to see what training and the different requirements are.

To conclude, volunteering is of a vital importance to your community's future and they need your help. Start by contacting you town's clerk and ask for the different volunteer organizations there are and how to contact them. It's a lot of fun and a tremendous self-satisfaction helping others that cannot help themselves at a certain time in their life.