• ____ Confirm that your agency is registered with the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County
If not, locate and complete registration, available online here or per instructions.

• ____ Learn whether a VMC has been authorized by Howard County’s Department of
Citizen Services.
If yes, obtain contact information from local authorities via phone, internet, or
Emergency Radio Broadcasts
If no, remain patient, await further instructions or contact Volunteer Center at
410-715-3179/3172 or email: info@volunteerhoward.org

• ____ Determine what volunteers can do for your agency. Identify potential tasks in your Agency
Preparedness Plan. Guidelines for beginning the planning process are available here.
Tasks to be completed by unaffiliated volunteers are:

• ____ Verify that position descriptions or task outlines are available for volunteers.
If yes, are copies available for Agency and/or on-the-spot training?____
If no, is there a designated individual(s) for volunteer orientation?____

• ____ Confirm agency’s designated Volunteer Coordinator.
Verify that agency Volunteer Coordinator will train and supervise volunteers
as appropriate.
Verify that agency has forms, policies, and procedures for volunteers in place.

• ____ Verify that agency Volunteer Coordinator will collect and maintain copies of VMC referral forms.

• ____ Determine and confirm how many volunteers the agency can use.
Minimum number _____ Maximum number _____ of volunteers requested

• ____ Obtain and complete Agency Request for Disaster Volunteers form, available online here or
per instructions.

• ____ Complete ONE form for each position description or task required.
Keep a copy for Agency files.

• ____ Review request forms for completeness, incomplete forms may be subject to delays.

• ____ Deliver request(s) to Volunteer Mobilization Center.
Requests may be accepted in person, by fax, email, or telephone depending on the
emergency, and/or available communication systems.

• ____ Request(s) will be reviewed and confirmed by VMC staff.

• ____ VMC staff will make requests available to registered spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteers
according to established VMC procedures.
The VMC cannot guarantee that requests will be filled. **

• ____ ALL volunteers registered through the VMC will have a VMC Referral Form and
VMC identification.

For more information on effectively utilizing disaster volunteers, please contact the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County at 410.715.3179 or pam@volunteerhoward.org PRIOR TO THE DISASTER.