Get Ready & Prepare

VOLUNTEER - Library Community Emergency Support
Monterey County Free Libraries
Contact: Hillary Theyer, Library Director, 831-883-7566

Purpose

In an emergency, adverse weather event or disaster, Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) is called upon to use library facilities to provide special services to support those in need.

These include opening libraries as:

• Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs)
• Community Resource Centers (CRCs)
• Cooling Centers (CCs)
• or for similar functions, to be determined by the County of Monterey

Each function involves use of the library spaces for purposes other than provision of public library services, and to support the needs of the community during an emergency, adverse weather event or disaster.

MCFL Community Emergency Support Volunteers will assist the library staff in providing these services to the public. The Volunteers are not Disaster Service Workers, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) or other specialized first responders. They are not County staff, they are available to support these functions at the direction of County staff.

Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP)

The County opens a TEP near to an area that is under an evacuation warning, order or threat. The TEP is not a shelter, it is a "first stop" for those evacuating to receive information, connection to resources, and direction for what they should do next.

Examples of what a TEP provides:

• Information and directions to a shelter
• Information about evacuating animals
• Place with free wireless internet access
• Place to charge devices, use a computer, printer, or copier, and make phone calls
• Place to gather information on the disaster and situation
• Temporary shelter from adverse elements
• Temporary refrigeration for medical needs
• Place to rest, use a restroom, get drinking water, get a snack
• Connection for transportation out of the area

Community Resource Center (CRC)

The County opens a CRC when a large adjacent area is without electrical power for a significant length of time. The CRC is not a shelter, it is a location with electrical power. The CRC may also serve as a point for distribution of supplies.

Examples of what a CRC provides:

• Place with free wireless internet access
• Place to charge devices, use a computer, printer, or copier, and make phone calls
• Information and connection to longer term supports such as shelters, medical equipment support, or transportation out of the area
• Temporary refrigeration for medical needs
• Temporary shelter from adverse elements
• Information on the situation
• Distribution of supplies as related to the situation (batteries, blankets, warming kits)

Cooling Center (CC)

The County opens a cooling center when a heat emergency is present. The CC has conditioned or temperature moderated air, a restroom, seating, and drinking water.

Examples of what a CC may provide:

• Seating
• Public restroom
• Drinking water
• Activities
• Information on the situation
• Connection to other resources if needed
• Distribution of supplies related to the situation (drinking water)

Volunteer duties in all circumstances may include:

• Assisting members of the public in signing in, collecting information on needs, orienting them to the services available
• Setting up and monitoring supplies such as snacks and water, office supplies, forms and handouts.
• Arranging furniture to suit the need
• Checking in on those in the facility to see if more is required
• Offering appropriate supplies to those in need, and as directed (warming kits, blankets, pet supplies, flood clean up kits, comfort kits)
• Setting up and monitoring activities such as crafts, coloring, reading, puzzles, or playing with toys
• Keeping a log of usage such as head count, door count, number of people asking for services
• Assisting the public in basic technology tasks such as connecting to the wireless internet, making a photocopy, or reaching a specific website
• Answering the phone and directing inquires as appropriate
• Creating, printing, and posting signs or flyers about hours and services offered
• Assisting the County employees in managing incidents or emergencies as appropriate and directed

Other service conditions

Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

Service animals are permitted in public libraries at any time. As a function of the need for the facility to serve as a TEP, CRC, or CC, pets may be permitted into the library under certain conditions. All animals will be the responsibility of their owners, and Volunteers will not be asked to care for animals.

At no time will Volunteers be expected to provide routine public library service.

At no time will Volunteers be given any responsible charge or custodial care of children, older adults, anyone with AFNs (access and functional needs), or animals. Volunteers may support others in providing this care with specific and appropriate assigned tasks.

At no time will Volunteers be expected to transport people or supplies in personal or County vehicles.

At no time will Volunteers take any member of the public outside of the facility, or to a private area such as a restroom, lactation room, or dressing room.

At no time will Volunteers be required to provide medical care. Volunteers may assist with provision of basic first aid, getting first aid supplies for staff or members of the public, or managing a medical situation through support, such as calling 911 or directing paramedics to the person in need.

Volunteers will be offered training for each position, which may be the same or similar to training offered to County or Library staff. None of the training offered is an official certification for any disaster or emergency responsibilities outside of this volunteer need.

Volunteers must attend 1 annual meeting for training and updates on applicable policies, procedures and situations throughout the County.

Volunteers must keep contact information up to date with the Library, and respond to requests for assistance, even if unable to serve at that time.

Bilingual Volunteers are especially appreciated! All Volunteers must speak, read, and understand basic English.

Recruitment and Training

Volunteers will be recruited within each community, and via many avenues including posting in the library, adjacent cities and agencies, via the County’s resources, Library social media, and Library’s Volunteer Match account. Library will host orientation sessions for this opportunity, and only those interested and able to serve will continue to give information and get training. All training will be free to the Volunteers.

To respond to meet a need

Volunteers will leave contact information and basic volunteering parameters such as locations and schedule limitations with the Library Director, and keep them up to date.

Volunteers will be contacted by the Coordinator, designated by the MCFL to staff library facilities for these functions.

If called and the Volunteer can respond, shift assignment can be by mutual agreement.

If called and the Volunteer cannot respond, they need to promptly tell the Coordinator.

Volunteers must work unencumbered by other significant and priority responsibilities such as caregiving. Volunteers may use down time or quiet time for personal needs such as reading, studying, contacting family – so long as the volunteer has ready awareness of the situation in the facility, and the disaster or emergency need can take priority immediately and at any time.

Volunteers must report to their shift self-equipped to meet all personal needs (food, medicine, toiletries), properly attired for the situation, and be able to leave the facility themselves immediately with their own reliable personal transportation.

Volunteers must sign in and out for shifts, wear identifying badge or vest, and complete any related documentation required.