Renee Palagyi believes in an army of many working toward the same cause, an organized group of people trained to help in disasters to give the most efficient and comprehensive aid possible.
Palagyi, director of the Ashtabula County Red Cross, recruits volunteers through Red Cross Citizen’s Corp.
“Organizing volunteers is one the most important roles for groups such as the Red Cross, Citizens Corps, and United Way,” Palagyi said. “By joining a volunteer organization, an individual can indicate the skills, experiences and desired volunteer opportunities they would like to participate in.”
“Registering with a volunteer organization also allows volunteers to be easily and quickly called upon to assist when requested,” she said.
Palagyi said while well-meaning people sometimes try to help on their own, organized aid is safer for everyone. She also stresses the importance of “one call, one response” to local agencies.
“When activated, the Ashtabula County Emergency Management (EMA) utilizes volunteers to staff the Emergency Operation Center,” Palagyi said. “The EMA will request volunteer assistance through an Ashtabula Red Cross liaison to staff shelters, if needed. A fire department can call us and know we will send trained people who know when to act and when to stand down and be safe.”
George Sabo, director of the Ashtabula County EMA, said he hates to turn down people who want to help, but training is essential for people at the site of a disaster.
“To want to help is commendable,” he said. “But you have to do it the right way, or it really isn’t helping.”
Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities in communities to make areas better prepared to respond to any emergency situation, Palagyi said. Citizen Corps provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds, she said.
Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. In this capacity, FEMA works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the corps Web site states.
Sabo also said corps volunteers are covered under the organization’s blanket liability, which protects volunteers at the scene of accidents or disasters.
Palagyi said there are jobs aplenty with the Red Cross for every volunteer interest.
“The Red Cross needs disaster volunteers. If the desire is to be on the scene of a disaster, we can train you for that. If you want to volunteer with the police or fire departments, we can train you for that. If you want to answer telephones, we can train you for that,” she said. “Whatever your interest, we can find something for you to do and we can provide free training.”
Locally, Citizen Corps meets at noon on the last Friday of each month. Lunch is provided, but registration is required by calling the Red Cross at (440) 998-1020 or the Ashtabula County EMA at (440) 576-9148 or visit www.serveohio.org.
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