Nov 15, 2024, 11:00 AM CST
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – Volunteers gathered at McMillan Library on Wednesday for the Volunteer Reception Center Training with United Way and Wood County Emergency Management. Ben Eberlein with United Way led the training. He said the VRC training done in the fall is just a refresher training for members to stay up to speed on everything that’s done at the VRC in case they are activated.
A VRC facilitates coordination between requests for volunteer assistance and assignment of spontaneous volunteers. The VRC is staffed with members who have been trained in various jobs to manage response in the event of a disaster. These jobs include registering volunteers and interviewing them to verify skills as well as having them sign liability waiver forms. They will also conduct safety training and verify that all steps have been taken before sending them out to assist with the disaster.
Wood County is one of the first to implement this universal application/system to organize volunteers. It allows for any kind of emergency response. Members are notified by phone tree or Everbridge. The most likely scenario where the VRC would be needed in our area is a missing persons case. Wood County Emergency Management works hand in hand with other agencies as well as the United Way and the VRC in such a case.
This twice annual training prepares VRC members in case of an emergency situation. They’re prepared to help organize a large amount of volunteers if needed. Ben said, “In the spring when we do our full training, we will run through a mock simulation and so all the volunteers will get to take on one of the roles in the VRC and basically pretend and go through that simulation as if it was really happening.”
The in-depth training will happen in early April 2025. You can find out more on the United Way website. If you would like to register for the VRC training in the spring, you can contact Ben at 715-421-0390. Ben Eberlien is the Community Engagement Director for United Way of South Wood and Adams Counties. You can also email him at [email protected].
