Welcome volunteers! Thank you for visiting our website focusing on all-things Skagit County Emergency Worker Program. If you’re new to this site you may be wondering how to best use it. Please browse the following FAQ’s to better understand the purpose and how to navigate.

 

What is the point of this website?

This site will be used in several ways. First, it’s a great communication tool. The Volunteer Programs Coordinator will be able to send email blasts to volunteers when there are upcoming opportunities, program updates and other announcements. Second, this website will be an efficient way to track volunteer hours.

What are Programs?

On this website, “Programs” refers to our Emergency Worker volunteer units (CERT, ACS, MRC, SOCC, SAR, etc.). Click on each Program’s page to learn more about it and view missions and events that may be specific to that individual unit.

What are Missions?

On this website, “Missions” are like callouts, but for needs that have significant time to prepare. For example, in the wintertime there may be an upcoming forecast of sub-freezing temperatures for a week straight. The county may be planning to open cold-weather shelters and will be asking for volunteers to help staff them. The “Missions” will have all the details you’ll need as a volunteer to decide if this is something you’d be available for and would like to do. You will then be able to sign up for the mission and it will notify the Volunteer Programs Coordinator who will contact you with further instructions. Other examples of “Missions” you may see here are extreme heat and/or clean air shelters, first aid booth staffing, DEM outreach tabling, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) assistance, etc.

What are Events?

On this website, “Events” will refer to upcoming opportunities that may be of-interest to volunteers like trainings, community outreach events, upcoming drills and exercises in need of participants, etc. These can be seen as personal growth and experience opportunities, rather than direct emergency response.

Why do I need to create a profile?

Once a profile is created, you will be able to sign up for missions and events, receive notifications for any updates on your volunteer unit, and track your personal volunteer hours. You will also be included on email blasts that go out to all members of you unit with important and necessary updates.

Who do I contact if I’m having difficulties with this site?

Please contact the Skagit County DEM Volunteer Programs Coordinator.

What does it mean to become a “fan” of a program?

Becoming a “fan” is like liking or following the program. You will be notified of missions and events that get posted specifically for the groups you’re a fan of. It’s recommended to only “fan” programs that you are a registered member of.

Will emergency mission callouts go through this site?

Search and Rescue missions will NOT go through this site. They will continue to be issued via 911, the Sheriff’s Office and/or DEM depending on the event. Typically, if immediate emergency response is needed, this site will not post those needs. This site will post missions that have more lead-time and needs relating to long-term response and recovery efforts.

Which volunteer hours to do I need to keep track of?

All of them! The more hours we have tracked among our volunteer programs, the more opportunities we will have for increased funding and growth. Hours can be tracked from when you leave the front door of your house for volunteer activities to when you return home (assuming no other personal errands are run in that time). Please track hours for monthly business meetings, trainings, equipment maintenance, drills and exercises, outreach, recruitment and mission responses.

Why is it important to track volunteer hours?

There are many reasons to track volunteer hours. First, accountability. It’s important to know who was where, when and why, in the event of an incident or if a claim or reimbursement needs to be made. Second, accurately tracking hours will demonstrate the extent of volunteer contributions to the county which can be taken to our elected officials who can approve decisions to increase funding for volunteer programs. This can lead to increased and improved trainings, updated gear and equipment, volunteer recognition and increased outreach and recruiting efforts. Lastly, in the unfortunate event that we have a large-scale incident similar to the Oso Landslide or something like a Cascadia Subjuction Zone earthquake, volunteer hours will be reimbursable by FEMA. This is crucial in disaster recovery after millions of dollars are spent on response efforts. Federal reimbursement will mean that millions of tax-payer dollars can stay in our county’s budget for future needs.

Will I get spammed with lots of emails or signed up for random lists?

No! You will only receive email updates relevant your chosen volunteer programs and general correspondence from the Volunteer Programs Coordinator. Here is a link to the website host’s help page that has more specific answers about technical questions: https://galaxydigital.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/36000147544