Volunteers are the back bone of Virginia Baptist Disaster Response, giving time and energy to helping families recover after a disaster.
Our volunteers:
- choose what disciplines they would like to be trained in
- decide after a disaster whether they can respond at that time
- provide transportation to and from the response, carpooling if able
We provide:
- training & skilled leaders
- lodging & meals on site
Ready to respond?
Training
Our volunteer training includes an Introduction to DR and three levels of training in each discipline. Each level includes additional training requirements and allows for increasing responsibility in the discipline.
Introductory training sessions can be completed within a single day. These trainings are regularly scheduled and are offered regionally each year. Level 2 and 3 trainings are offered on an as needed basis.
When possible, we mobilize spontaneous, untrained volunteers. However, this opportunity is not guaranteed in any given response.
Trained volunteers serve in one of these areas after completing training:
Clean Up
Cleanup teams ensure homeowners have a safe, clean home after damage from a disaster. When homes are flooded, wind damaged, or affected by fire, teams clean up so homeowners will be ready to rebuild when the time comes.
Using best practices in chain saw, muckout, mold remediation, ash out, and temporary roof repair, cleanup volunteers get down and dirty to make sure homeowners don’t.
- Level 1 Training: team member (1.5 hours)
- Level 2 Training: job site assessment (1.5 hours)
- Level 2 Training: equipment operator (certified training program)
- Level 3 Training: team leader (3 hours + field experience)
Mass Care
When homes are affected, our mass care teams help residents take care of basic needs. Feeding teams staff commercial kitchens to share hearty, nutritious meals.
- Level 1 Training: kitchen team member (1.5 hours)
- Level 2 Training: kitchen department lead (1.5 hours)
- Level 3 Training: kitchen lead/blue hat (3 hours)
The Children’s Response Team gives kids a chance to play and be kids while parents take care of necessary tasks after the disaster.
- Level 1 Training: Children’s Response Team Training (4 hours)
- Level 3 Training: Children’s Response Team Leader Training (2 hours)
Support
Hot showers, clean laundry, purified water, and charged mobile devices help everyone after a disaster. Whether serving volunteer teams or providing services to disaster survivors, our support units stay busy.
- Level 1 Training: support team member (1.5 hours)
- Level 2 Training: water purification specialist (certified training program)
- Level 3 Training: support team leader (1.5 hours)
Crisis Care
Disaster survivors are shaken to their core, and our Crisis Care Team provides support to survivors through conversation, care, and concern.
- Level 1 Training: community response member (5 hours)
- Level 2 Training: deployment team member (14.5 hours)
- Level 3 Training: deployment team leader (4.5 hours)
The Crisis Care Team operates in accordance with the National VOAD Disaster Spiritual Care guidelines.
Command & Communication
Our command leadership and communication teams ensure every aspect of our response runs at peak efficiency.
Command leadership follows Incident Command System protocol, including ICS 300/400 and training courses adapted to suit our approach to response.
Our communications teams utilize the best technologies in radio, IT, and computer systems to maintain communication from the field to the command site to the Disaster Operations Center.
- Incident Command Training [ICS 300/400 or equivalent] (12 hours)
- Communications Training (3 hours)
- Administration Training (3 hours)
- includes field-, office-, and home-based roles
Additional Roles
Throughout our disaster response structure, we have unique needs in the field and back at home. Special skill sets include:
- CDL drivers
- Medics
- Mold remediation specialists
- Chain saw specialists
We routinely update this list and communicate with our volunteers about unique needs.
Looking for additional opportunities to serve on mission?
- Meeting Human Needs
- Bringing Relief & Development
- Strengthening Faith Communities
- Working Toward Peace & Justice
From ensuring food is on the table to helping families recover after a disaster, engaging students and adults in short- and long-term community projects, you can join mission efforts around the world.
