Part of the Plan is the Office of Emergency Management’s monthly video series where we open our public safety plans and partnerships. Something we value at OEM is informing and including the public as to your roles in our plans. As we say: You are the Public in Public Safety. This month, which is National Volunteer Month, we give an inside look at how our office works with Philadelphia Police, Philadelphia Fire, and volunteer organizations towards the goal of a safe public.

by Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management Public Affairs | April 1, 2017

Social media, and moreover social media marketing, has created a day and a month for everything. #NationalCheesesteakDay, of elevated importance to Philadelphians, happens bi-weekly it seems.

What needs to be highlighted are those who seek no recognition, but play such an important role in everyday lives. People who give their most precious commodity, time, to others for the return only of knowing they made an impact on someone else’s life.

This is the spirit behind National Volunteer Month, which is April. The celebration of volunteerism started with an executive order in 1974 by President Richard Nixon. From there it has developed into a month-long call for Americans to give their time to community outreach organizations.

Facts and figures released last year show the impact and importance of volunteering. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers show more than 64 million people volunteered at least once between 2015 to 2016. The Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages Americans in service through its core programs Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and the Social Innovation Fund, dedicated 8.1 billion hours to a wide variety of organizations at a value of $173 billion in a year span.

Local Impact

“Unsung heroes” is a standard cliche, but at the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, we see the daily critical work and services that are provided that help residents and businesses in the city, often in people’s greatest time of need.  Their acts are worthy of applause, and worthy of your time if you are looking to give back.

  • American Red Cross of Philadelphia When an emergency occurs or disaster strikes, people’s lives change in an instant. The Red Cross is there for people who need help. Something unique to our area is the Red Cross House, which gives individuals or families in Philadelphia and surrounding areas a place to stay while they begin to get their lives back on track.
  • Red Paw Emergency Relief Team Truly a Philly first. Red Paw was added to the City’s Emergency Response Plan in 2013. As a nonprofit, they work with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the American Red Cross, along with public and private disaster relief organizations. Red Paw’s role is to provide emergency assistance, which includes; transport, shelter, search and rescue, and vet care to animals involved in emergencies.
  • Salvation Army Philadelphia The Salvation Army’s volunteers are not just an important part of emergency and public safety response for events and incidents in the city. They are also planning partners with the Office of Emergency Management’s and are an integral response partner with the City’s emergency response planning. The Disaster Relief Services arm of the Salvation Army is vital to both the public and public safety before, during, and after emergencies. Its volunteers provide an umbrella of services needed by those going through crisis. They offer food service, emotional and spiritual care, disaster social services, disaster services volunteer training, emergency communications, donations management, and recovery. The Salvation Army is the primary agency that provides meals at all Philadelphia evacuation shelters and the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
  • Philadelphia Second Alarmers The all-volunteer Second Alarmers organization is ready at a minutes notice, keeping watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their service is needed when first-responder operations are prolonged at city events and emergencies, where health and safety of Philadelphia Police and Philadelphia Fire is of concern. Having begun as a Canteen Unit and primarily providing food and drink for police and fire, the association has become more intrinsic and inter-woven in emergency response beyond coffee. The Second Alarmers cover over 400 responses a year. In 96 years of service, the Alarmers have made 14,000 “runs”. They now assist with replacing first-responders’ clothing, radio batteries, and oxygen-filled breathing cylinders.
  • Southeastern PA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SEPA VOAD) If you’re interested in volunteering in disaster response, groups like Philabundance, Team Rubicon, Liberty Lutheran, and the United Church of Christ (among others) are part of this umbrella group. SEPA VOAD helps coordinate planning efforts and, during a disaster, matches community needs with services provided by member agencies. This cooperative effort is an effective way for a wide variety of organizations to work together in a crisis.

Ways to Give

One of the best aspects to volunteering is there are many ways to do so and there are no set boundaries. You may volunteer without even being conscientious that you are doing so: coaching a youth baseball team or taking up a collection of clothing for a neighbor after a fire.

As we mark National Volunteer Month in the United States, the Office of Emergency Management thanks those compelled to give their time and talents to others. We see the need for a helping hand to be extended every day. We recognize your significance in the lives and organizations of those who need you. You are an example of the best a person can be as you help elevate our communities.

You motivate others to join the volunteer effort.

 

 

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