Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Communications

Volunteer and Donations Information

The many neighborhood and community organizations that serve Long Beach have a reputation for stepping up and taking action when a disaster strikes anywhere in our City. Their generosity is not limited to the residents of our city; these groups have organized, collected and delivered aid to groups across the country. 

To learn more about volunteering and donating responsibly, please explore the material provided below.

Local Volunteer Opportunities

 American Red Cross
The American Red Cross Long Beach and Rio Hondo Chapters serve more than 1.7 million people across 21 cities. Withmore than 800 volunteers, the Red Cross provides food and shelter for victims of local disasters; training in emergency preparedness; education on life-saving skills; emergency communication for military families; international communication to locate family members separated by disaster or warfare; and youth programs such as Safe Kids Training and Leadership Development Center Camp. 

Long Beach CERT
The Long Beach Community Emergency Respone Team (CERT) program is designed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond. For example, CERT teams have been used to distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled; assist with evacuations and traffic control; promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures; supplement staffing at special events, such as parades; and serve as participants or assistants in training exercises.

Amateur Radio Emergency Services 
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. ARES members are a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities.

Long Beach Search and Rescue
Long Beach Search & Rescue provides young adults an opportunity to serve the public during emergency situations through a program of community service. The Unit is comprised of approximately 100 young adults between the ages of 15 and 21, senior staff instructors and adult advisors. Unit members are on call 24 hours a day and volunteer thousands of hours each year in support of our police and fire departments.

National Volunteer Programs

The Salvation Army
From its inception, The Salvation Army has relied heavily on volunteers who support its programs. Often referred to as “the army behind The Army," volunteers play a crucial role in response efforts during a disaster by positively impacting the lives of those involved. The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services is always looking for individuals ready to make a significant contributionthrough supporting communities, uplifting families or serving front line responders in the wake of a crisis.

Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Thousands of volunteers lend a hand to build, renovate, and repair homes with Habitat LA each year. Habitat LA welcomes individual volunteers to ensure that everyone can live in decent, affordable, and sustainable housing. Habitat LA invites you to help on construction sites, in ReStores, during special events, or behind the scenes in Habitat LA offices.

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) is a coalition of the major national voluntary organizations in the United States that have made disaster-related work a priority. National VOAD member agencies provide skilled direct services along the continuum from disaster prevention and preparation to response, recovery, and mitigation. NVOAD is the only nationwide organization of VOAD members in the United States.

AmeriCorps
As the nation’s largest granting authority for service and volunteering, CNCS plays a critical role in strengthening America’s nonprofit sector and addressing our nation’s challenges through service

Responsible Donations

FEMA
After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. FEMA provides tried and true best practices that will give you a starting point.

Long Beach Disaster Relief Fund

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Long Beach Recycles Donation Guide

Give your used items a second life by donating your unwanted clothes, furniture, electronics, and household items. There are multiple reasons to donate your used goods in Long Beach.