Get Involved
![Individuals jumping and smiling for a photo](/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WC-business-pitching-in-825x464.jpg)
Whole Community Approach
Preparing for and recovering from disaster is a team effort. In partnership with 新澳门六合彩, businesses, community groups, faith-based organizations and volunteers help with outreach, emergency response and disaster recovery. We use resources from the whole community to prepare our neighborhoods to be more resilient.
Business
- Community businesses fund projects, provide volunteers, facilitate educational programs and organize events to benefit vulnerable areas.
- Chambers of commerce, professional organizations and industry experts assist with communications. When a storm is approaching, they help other business people, clients and visitors to prepare.
- After a disaster, residents depend on businesses to reopen and resume their service to the community. 新澳门六合彩 works with local businesses to develop sound emergency plans so they can do just that.
Residential
- Neighborhood and community associations host educational presentations for residents in their areas.
- Members of those associations collect supplies and help their neighbors prepare their homes and yards.
- Emergency Management is always looking for Disaster Ambassadors. Contact us know if you want to be involved with preparedness efforts in your community.
Faith-based
![Photo of people giving a driver a kit with hurricane supplies and hygiene items.](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GET-INVOLVED-WC-car-line-1024x398.jpg)
Faith-based organizations have longstanding relationships with their members. Trusted faith leaders help us to communicate with their members during evacuations or immediately following an emergency. This relationship helps keep community members prepared, and it helps us to more effectively deliver resources to them in the aftermath of a disaster.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
One of the county’s most active programs is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. Each of 新澳门六合彩’s teams focus on the needs of their community and perform specific functions. For information on CERT in 新澳门六合彩, email CERT@pinellas.gov.
Volunteers
Amateur Radio Operators
Eligible participants must be Licensed Amateur Radio Operators. This group assists with alternate communications to 新澳门六合彩 Emergency Management for events and exercises. It also assists in public events and outreach activities promoting Emergency Management and 新澳门六合彩. Activities, training and support are available throughout the year. For information, email ema@pinellas.gov or call 727-464-3800.
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD)
![Decorative](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pinellas-VOAD_logo-1024x283.jpg)
Emergency Management started 新澳门六合彩’s first VOAD in 2021. Based on the principles of communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation, our county’s VOAD represents more than 100 faith- and community-based organizations and is supported by the and . For information on how you can get involved, email voad@pinellas.gov or call 727-464-5500.
Volunteers in Pinellas (VIP)
There are a number of opportunities to volunteer for 新澳门六合彩 through the Volunteers in Pinellas (VIP) program. We strive to match your talents with the in-person, internship and remote opportunities available. All volunteers for the county are required to complete a background check, which the county provides.
![Two men setting up a satellite disk.](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Irma_Mobile-Satellite-Dish_05_090617_DL-1024x684.jpg)
VIPs in Disaster
The Volunteers in Pinellas During Disasters program is open to individuals and groups who are interested in playing a role in emergency management. All participants must register as a county volunteer and complete a background check. Some of the responsibilities include:
- Shelter Staff: During an evacuation, residents who depend on public shelters also depend on county staff and volunteers. Shelter staff may be assigned to registration, dormitory, food service and general assistance. Shelters are located throughout the county, and they require staff before, during and after an event.
- Amateur Radio Operators: Eligible participants must be Licensed Amateur Radio Technicians. This group provides backup communications to 新澳门六合彩 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in situations where normal communications are interrupted. They also staff emergency shelters and municipal EOCs during emergencies. Activities, training and support are available throughout the year.
- County Information Center (CIC) Support Staff: The CIC is a call center located in the EOC and opens during emergencies. Call takers work as a team and individually to provide information and answers to callers. The ideal volunteer for this position is someone who has experience in taking calls, is comfortable using a computer and can be patient and empathetic during stressful times.
- Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Support Staff: The duties of EOC support staff vary. For example, volunteers may help answer phones for the EOC Operations Desk or contact health care facilities for the Health Care Desk. This position requires flexibility, comfort with phones and computers, and the ability to stay calm in a busy atmosphere.
![Photo of a woman giving another woman information on hurricane preparedness.](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PCU-Doris-McHugh-Ambassador-1024x683.jpg)
EMbassadors
Our Emergency Management ambassadors (EMbassadors) assist with education and outreach and help in various ways:
- All-hazards presentations, both in person and virtually
- Outreach events to talk to citizens about emergency preparedness
- Projects such as distributing Hurricane/Hygiene Kits to residents
- Programs such as student visits or special events
How You Can Help
![Photo of three teenagers making sandwiches](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/youth-helping-1024x768.jpg)
Outreach Event
Education is the key to being prepared. If you would like an EMbassador to speak to your organization, school or office about preparedness, submit a Speaker Request Form.
Host Home
Not everyone has family in the area or friends with whom they can stay during an evacuation. You can help by setting up a Host Home program within your organization, house of worship, business or other affiliated group. The organizer of the Host Home program distributes a survey to find out more about people’s lifestyle鈥攑ets, children, habits鈥攁nd the organizer makes a recommendation on pairs who seem most compatible. Then those two people, families or groups can make plans to stay with one or the other during an evacuation. For a Host Home program toolkit, email ema@pinellas.gov.
Billboard Emergency Alert System
![Photo of an electronic billboard with a message that reads "A good time for hurricane prep"](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BEAS_The-Centre.jpg)
If your business, community center or house of worship has an electronic billboard, then you can sign up to be a partner with the Billboard Emergency Alert System. Emergency Management will send you with urgent messaging when appropriate. Share the message on your sign to help our community stay informed. Complete the Business Contact Information Form for more information.
Adopt-A-Shelter
The Adopt-A-Shelter program is designed for community organizations, neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, businesses or clubs that may have a group of people who are interested in working together to staff a shelter. Emergency shelters are open before, during and after an emergency. In a large-scale event, we might not have as many volunteers as we need to properly staff each shelter. A group that volunteers together fills that urgent need and can plan, prepare, train and organize assignments. Emergency Management provides training and support.
Host a Shelter
Many faith-based and business locations are in non-evacuation areas, have buildings that can withstand high winds, and are large enough to shelter a substantial number of people. If you are willing and have the staff to do it, then you can host a shelter. 新澳门六合彩 Emergency Management can help with assessing your building, planning for an emergency shelter and training your staff. You could have a shelter for your own members and employees, or you may open it to the public. Some organizations may be able to help a specific neighborhood or mobile home park. The program can be tailored to your own needs.