Lansing has a disaster hotline available for volunteers to call in case of a city emergency.
The Lansing Emergency Management Office, 815 Marshall St. in Lansing, established the hotline to create a more efficient way to communicate with people who would like to help during a city emergency, said Ronda Oberlin, emergency management specialist.
“In a disaster we always need volunteers,” she said. “We can use people that can perform a whole range of functions for things we just don’t have the hands to do.”
If there is a city emergency, such as a flooding, people may call (517)483-6042, and a prerecorded message on the disaster volunteer information hotline will explain the emergency, said Oberlin.
The message will specifically tell volunteers who is needed, where to report and when to be at the emergency site.
“People want to help and they go,” she said. “But they should call this number first, so they know where to go.”
Oberlin said she encourages people to become a registered disaster volunteer so the city can identify what skills people have, allowing the relief effort to be more effective.
People with specific skills including damage assessment, counseling and technology are asked to volunteer, Oberlin said. But she said anyone can be helpful and volunteer.
Damage assessment classes may be available as an orientation for volunteers to learn more about how to handle emergency situations.
Mechanical engineering junior Jerry Nowicki said the hotline is a good way for people to help out in the community during an emergency.
“There’s a lot of people out there who want to help and make other people feel safe - especially after what has happened over the last couple months,” he said.
Merchandising management senior Kristen Rocca said she would use the hotline to volunteer if a crisis occurred in the city.
“It’s a good idea to get involved in the community and help out when you can,” she said. “If I’m not in that bad situation, I’m going to help out the people that are.”
People may become a registered disaster volunteer by applying online at www.volunteerlansing.org or by calling Oberlin at (517)483-4110.
