The City of Austin Office of Emergency Management works together with
many community volunteer and charity groups before, during, and after disasters. The OEM volunteer programs are described below:
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
OEM and the citizens of Austin need your help to prepare the community for a disaster! CERT provides an excellent opportunity for Austinites to play an important role in helping to safeguard, prepare for and respond to major emergencies in our community. Training covers basic emergency preparedness, response capabilities, first aid, fire suppression and search and rescue procedures. CERT volunteers receive equipment to use when activated. The CERT program is supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Example volunteer activites include the following:
Before a disaster: Hazard awareness campaigns and presentations, special projects, disaster preparedness booths, volunteer recruiting, language translation of materials, disaster drills, and advanced training.
During and after a disaster: Emergency communications, disaster hotline, managing spontanous volunteers, language interpretation and translation, damage assessments. Community Emergency Response Teams
For more information about CERT and to obtain an application, visit the CERT web site, or e-mail or call Tiffany Taylor at
(512) 974-0477.
Citizen Corps Council
OEM has teamed up with first responder and volunteer organizations to
establish the Central Texas Citizen Corps Council (CTXCCC). The goal of CTXCCC is to provide a forum in which volunteer organizations can coordinate with Austin and Travis County disaster response and resources.
The Citizen Corps initiative was started by the federal government to sustain "that spirit of volunteerism and unity crucial to defending the freedoms America holds dear". We are working together to maximize our human and monetary resources to make our community more resilient against man-made and natural disasters.
The initial step was the establishment of a Central Texas Citizen Corps Council in January 2003.
Soon after, the Council supported the establishment of the City of Austin CERT program.
For more information, visit the Central Texas Citizen Corps Council web site, or e-mail or call Tiffany Taylor at (512) 974-0477.
Technology Management
The City of Austin's Technology Response Team (COA-TRT) is an opportunity for volunteers to assist the City of Austin's Communication and Technology Management (CTM) organization during a response to a disastrous event effecting the City." For more information visit: http://coatrt01.ci.austin.tx.us/coatrt
RELATED LINKS
- Citizen Corps: Volunteer for America
by FEMA
Citizen Corps and their main programs: Citizen Corps Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams, Neighborhood Watch Program, Volunteers in Police Service, and Medical Reserve Corps.
- USA Freedom Corps: The President's Call to Service
by the Corporation for National and Community Service
Federal Service programs across the nation and the President's call to service.
- Corporation for National and Community Service
Information about the Corporation and their main volunteer programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America.
- United Way Capital Area Volunteer Center
The United Way volunteer opportunity website lists hundreds of volunteer opportunities so you're sure to find the match that’s right for you. Whether you want to volunteer one time or on a regular basis, as a group or individually, the Volunteer Center can help you.
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