For the City Times

20 volunteers attended the Disaster Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) Training last week on Mar. 8 and 9.  A total of 10 new volunteers joined the VRC team with a total of 30 volunteers registered to assist in a VRC in the event of a disaster.

United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center facilitated the training, which took place at the Wisconsin Rapids VFW Post 2534.

During a disaster, there are two types of volunteers:  spontaneous and affiliated.  Affiliated volunteers have a relationship with a volunteer organization – such as American Red Cross – and have been trained and pre-assigned a task for during a disaster.  Spontaneous volunteers are unaffiliated, but still have skills, energy and compassion to share after a disaster.

In the event of a disaster, any spontaneous volunteers who arrive at a disaster scene will be directed to the VRC, where they will fill out an application, be interviewed, screened and matched with a disaster volunteer opportunity. Volunteers are then trained and fitted with a wristband before being sent back out to the disaster scene.  The VRC is staffed by this very special group of volunteers.

The Volunteer Center thanks the Wisconsin Rapids VFW for hosting the training; and the two dinner sponsors, Tropical Smoothie Café and Domino’s.

The Disaster VRC training is an annual event.  If you missed this year’s training, or would like more information, give the Volunteer Center a call at 715-421-0390.