Disaster Volunteer Reception Center Training Offered

FOND DU LAC – In partnership with Fond du Lac County Emergency Management, the Fond du Lac Area United Way will be conducting a Disaster Volunteer Reception Center, or VRC, Training and Exercise from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 30, at the American Legion Hall, located at 500 Fond du Lac Ave., in Fond du Lac. There is no cost to attend the training and lunch and training materials will be provided.

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 and screened; matched with a disaster volunteer opportunity; and trained and fitted with a wristband before being sent back out to the disaster scene. The VRC is staffed by another group of volunteers. Volunteers are currently be recruited to join the Fond du Lac County Volunteer Reception Center.

The first half of the VRC training will consist of a presentation where what happens during a disaster, what is done at VRC and why it is important will be discussed. The second half of the training will be a hands-on exercise. At the conclusion of the training, each participant will be asked to join the Fond du Lac County Volunteer Reception team, although this is not required to participate in the training and exercise. Each VRC volunteer will fill out an application, will be screened and asked to attend future trainings. VRC volunteers are also asked to be available in the event of a disaster.

For more information, contact the United Way via phone 920-921-7010 or email at [email protected].  Community members may also contact Kay Mittelstadt-Lock of the Fond du Lac County Health Department via email at [email protected] phone at 920-929-3311.