Learn how you can help your community before, during and after a disaster or emergency.

Volunteer & Donate

During disaster response, affected communities depend heavily on local and national volunteer organizations to provide trained volunteers and much-needed donated supplies. Get involved today by donating to or volunteering with a reputable organization.

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• Remember, cash is best. During a disaster, you can donate to a recognized disaster relief organization. Financial contributions are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. 
• Volunteer to respond to disasters and help your community.
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and get trained on basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Train & Educate

You could help save countless lives by taking simple actions to prepare your community or organization for a disaster before one strikes. FEMA offers free trainings and education tools to train yourself and others on the best ways to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster or emergency.

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• You Are the Help Until Help Arrives, designed by FEMA, are offered as online or in-person trainings where you learn the basics of how to save a life before a professional arrives.
• Teach preparedness curriculum in your school or childcare facility. Download everything you need for grades K-12 through our Ready Kids program.
• Promote preparedness online by sharing preparedness tips on your social media accounts with Ready’s online social media toolkit or public service announcements.
• Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute or a CPR course through the American Red Cross and gain more knowledge to help your community become more prepared.
• Take FEMA’s OPEN training to prepare your Community Based Organization for emergency needs.