TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 14.24 DATE: June 15, 2014
SUBJECT: WHAT IS A VMC?
The letters VMC stand for Volunteer Mobilization Center. The VMC is just getting started here in this area, but there are VMCs that are up and running in some other states. During large emergencies and/or disasters there will always be spontaneous volunteers who want to help, but don't know where to go to. Most of the time they will report directly the a disaster site or other location trying to find someone they can talk to, or find out where they can help. The disaster site is not the place they should be going to, they should be reporting to a VMC. The VMC is where emergency response agencies, or any agency that may need volunteers can request volunteers from a pool. The volunteers will be cataloged as to their training and what they would like to do. The VMC doesn't do a complete screening, that is left up the agency who the volunteer is assigned to. There are bugs that are still being worked out of the system, such as who will contact the VMC, and where it will be operated when it is activated. The VMC needs to be operational away from the disaster area, and be easily found by volunteers who may not be familiar with area. You will hear more about the system as it get better organized.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV