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 Home > How to Start an MRC > Technical Assistance Series > Developing Volunteer Relationships and Capabilities > Developing: Promoting Volunteer SafetyVolunteers also will need to be trained in your MRC’s policies and procedures. Policies and procedures should address the following issues:
If all team members understand what constitutes safe, permissible practice, significant steps will have been taken toward reducing risk and harm to all involved. Safety for volunteers also should include ensuring that volunteers are fit to perform their duties. In addition, all volunteers should have current immunizations. Your local public health department will likely suggest the immunizations most relevant to the volunteers in your area. One important issue is that training should be structured such that the minimum information is communicated to volunteers as quickly and efficiently as possible. Subsequently, it is a matter of prioritizing skill sets and methodically improving the overall skill profile of your volunteers. Developing a training plan and training your volunteers is an ongoing, highly dynamic process, one that is never finished, yet always leaves your MRC unit stronger and better prepared. A training plan will combine individual volunteer motivation with requirements from your response partners. The MRC unit coordinator’s responsibility is to facilitate this process and help everyone understand what is needed to best utilize your volunteers. Training is an ongoing investment, as volunteer turnover is inevitable. However, by continually upgrading the capabilities of your MRC unit, you can systematically build the unit best suited to your community’s needs. Volunteer Safety IssuesThe following contains some safety issues:
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