SWANVILLE — What happens when there is an emergency or disaster that requires providing shelter and food to displaced citizens? Perhaps your answer included a reference to the Waldo County Emergency Management Agency.

Luckily, the need for what is called a “Mass Care Response” doesn’t happen very often. It is usually due to a weather or environmental event or the loss of critical infrastructure. Recent storms and power outages have inspired Waldo County Emergency Management Director, Dale Rowley, to put out a call for volunteers willing to help should such a shelter need to be activated.

The foundations for this are already in place. Local facilities like the Waldo County YMCA, Searsmont Community Center, Troy Howard Middle School and the Mount View School Complex have been identified and agreements are in place. Many supplies are stored at our county warehouse in Swanville. Transportation and feeding plans exist through arrangements with Waldo Community Action Partners (Waldo CAP) and the Belfast Soup Kitchen.

A core team has been meeting for several months to make sure we are prepared. Team folders and job descriptions are being updated. As Mr. Rowley says, “This isn’t ‘rocket science!’ It just requires a couple of nights of training and willingness to be a part of the team if we need you. If you can assemble cots, serve soup, count pillows or man a registration table at a shelter, you are qualified!”

In addition to those who step up to take the training, a list is being created of volunteers who would be willing to serve and assist at a shelter. The team will be doing outreach to local organizations and seeking donations of games for varying ages to have packed for deployment. If you have a medical background or are a mental health professional that would be a bonus.

There will be a simulated event on Thursday, September 19, at 6 p.m., at the Waldo County EMA building, located at 685 Swan Lake Avenue in Swanville. This experience will inform the team of improvements and updates needed since the last shelter procedures utilized after the storm of December 2023.

Basic training to become a Mass Care Response Team member will be provided Thursday, October 17, also at 6 p.m., at the same location. For anyone who would like advanced training, it can be made available through the Red Cross of Northern New England, Maine Emergency Management Association (MEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) or Homeland Security.

For further information send an email to emadirector@waldocountyme.gov, call 338-3870 or visit https://www.waldocountyme.gov/ema.