Woodbury County Emergency Management actively looking for volunteers for two of its programs

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Volunteers are needed for two important programs within the Woodbury County Emergency Management.

The Emergency Management Support Team and the Citizens’ Preparedness Taskforce are looking for volunteers to join Woodbury County Emergency Management. According to management officials, even though each program has its own distinct focus, both programs aim to aid Woodbury County’s overall capabilities and resilience.

Woodbury County Emergency Management Support Team

The Emergency Management Support Team is a team of volunteers who specialize in specific areas such as emergency operations center management, radio communications, search and rescue operations, and shelter support.

Support team volunteers train regularly with the emergency management teams to respond during emergencies in the field or at the emergency operations center. Emergency Management says they are trained to assist first responders and emergency management to deliver the highest level of service to the community.

Mike Gill, team leader for the Woodbury County Emergency Management Support Team says the team attracts all walks of life.

“The Emergency Management Support Team attracts individuals from all walks of life who want to help their fellow neighbors in crisis. That is why we created this team, to give people the opportunity to serve,” said Gill.

Since it began in 2023, the team has responded to several incidents, including the recent June floods and the Morningside apartment fire.

Citizen’s Preparedness Task Force

The second group, in need of volunteers, is the Citizens’ Preparedness Task Force, which was created to give those with a talent of being prepared to teach others, in the community, the craft.

Steve Corey, team leader of the taskforce, says the group has offered a wide range of programs to help the community prepare.

“It’s this group that helped us develop the disaster survival trainings being offered in Woodbury County Communities several times a year,” said Corey, “We focus in on the basics like building a bug-out bag, but also advanced concepts like purifying water and growing your own food.”

Mike Montino, the director of Woodbury County Emergency Management says preparedness is just as important as the response inside the house.

“Preparedness begins with each individual community member,” said Montino, “Some community members have gone above and beyond preparing themselves and have joined efforts with Woodbury County Emergency Management to help prepare others and even respond alongside officials during emergencies and disasters.”

For more information on volunteer opportunities and how to apply, visit Woodbury County Emergency Management’s website.

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