Preparing Volunteers to Serve Montana Safely

 

Disaster relief work often takes place in difficult, unpredictable, and physically demanding conditions. Volunteers may work around damaged buildings, contaminated floodwater, fallen trees, heavy debris, hazardous materials, limited utilities, and families experiencing significant loss.

 

Montana Concerned Citizens Foundation Fund works to prepare volunteers with the knowledge, expectations, and safety guidance needed to serve responsibly.

 

Training requirements may vary depending on the disaster, assigned role, location, equipment involved, and instructions provided by local emergency officials or partner organizations.

 

General Volunteer Requirements

 

Volunteers participating in an MCCFF-supported disaster response should:

• Be at least 18 years old unless participating in an approved youth activity with appropriate supervision
• Complete all required registration and volunteer forms
• Attend any orientation, training, or safety briefing required for the assignment
• Be physically and mentally prepared for the duties they accept
• Follow instructions from MCCFF team leaders, emergency officials, property owners, and authorized partner organizations
• Treat affected families, fellow volunteers, and community members with dignity and respect
• Use required personal protective equipment
• Disclose any physical limitations, medical concerns, or lack of experience that could affect safe participation
• Avoid performing work beyond their training, licensing, or physical ability
• Maintain a cooperative, flexible, and service-focused attitude
  
  

Some assignments may require a criminal background check, motor vehicle record review, professional license, equipment certification, or additional screening.

 

Volunteer Training

Before participating in field operations, volunteers may be required to complete an MCCFF orientation covering:

• MCCFF’s mission and role during disaster recovery
• Volunteer conduct and responsibilities
• Basic disaster-site safety
• Working respectfully with affected families
• Communication and chain of command
• Personal protective equipment
• Hazard identification and reporting
• Confidentiality and protection of personal information
• Emergency procedures
• Documentation of volunteer hours and completed work
  
  

Depending on the assignment, additional specialized training may be required.

 

Specialized Training Areas

Specialized volunteer roles may include:

• Flood cleanup and muck-out
• Debris removal
• Wildfire recovery
• Chainsaw operation
• Tree and limb removal
• Roof tarping and minor emergency repairs
• Cleaning and sanitation
• Mold awareness
• Heavy-equipment operation
• Transportation and logistics
• Warehouse and donation management
• Meal preparation and distribution
• Family assistance and resource coordination
• Construction and home repair
• Volunteer team leadership

 

Volunteers must not operate chainsaws, heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, power equipment, or specialized tools unless they have the necessary training, experience, authorization, and protective equipment.

 

Professional work involving electrical, plumbing, structural repair, excavation, roofing, HVAC systems, or other regulated trades should only be completed by properly qualified or licensed individuals when required.

 

Background Checks and Additional Screening

 

MCCFF may require criminal background checks for volunteers serving in positions involving:

• Children or vulnerable adults
• Access to private homes
• Confidential family information
• Financial assistance
• Transportation
• Leadership responsibilities
• Overnight accommodations
• Sensitive community assignments
  
  

Drivers may also be required to provide a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and authorization for a motor vehicle record check.

Completion of an application or background check does not guarantee placement in a particular role.

VolunteerConduct

 

MCCFF volunteers represent the organization while serving affected communities. Volunteers are expected to act honestly, respectfully, safely, and professionally.

Volunteers must:

• Respect the privacy, property, beliefs, and personal circumstances of affected families
• Avoid discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate conduct
• Refrain from using or possessing illegal drugs while serving
• Never report for service while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medication
• Follow all local laws and disaster-site rules
• Avoid political campaigning, fundraising, or promoting unrelated organizations at a service location
• Never photograph, record, or share information about affected families without proper permission
• Avoid making promises about future financial assistance, construction work, housing, or other support
• Never charge families for authorized volunteer work
• Never use a disaster response to solicit private employment or personal business
  
  

Failure to follow volunteer guidelines may result in removal from the service site or disqualification from future assignments.

Safety Responsibilities

Every volunteer is responsible for helping maintain a safe working environment.

Volunteers should:

• Attend required safety briefings
• Wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment
• Use closed-toe shoes or work boots suitable for the assignment
• Wear gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, respirators, hard hats, or reflective clothing when required
• Stay hydrated and take appropriate rest breaks
• Report hazards, injuries, unsafe behavior, or damaged equipment immediately
• Avoid entering structures that have not been declared safe
• Never work alone in hazardous areas
• Follow sanitation and decontamination procedures
• Stop working when conditions become unsafe
• Inform a team leader immediately if they become sick or injured
  
  

Volunteers should not accept an assignment they are unable to perform safely.

Physical and Emotional Readiness

Disaster-response environments can be physically exhausting and emotionally difficult. Volunteers may encounter severe property damage, displaced families, injured animals, loss of personal belongings, and other distressing situations.

Volunteers should honestly consider whether they are prepared for:

• Long periods of standing, lifting, bending, or walking
• Heat, cold, smoke, dust, mud, rain, or limited shelter
• Limited electricity, sanitation, or cellular service
• Basic sleeping or meal arrangements
• Exposure to emotionally difficult circumstances
• Rapidly changing assignments
• Delays, uncertainty, and limited resources
  
  

Volunteers should communicate any limitations to their team leader before beginning work.

Clothing and Personal Equipment

Volunteers should arrive with clothing and supplies appropriate for the assigned work and local weather conditions.

Recommended items may include:

• Work boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes
• Long pants
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Rain gear
• Sun protection
• Refillable water bottle
• Personal medications
• Insect repellent
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Personal hygiene supplies
  
  

MCCFF or its partners may provide specialized personal protective equipment for certain assignments. Volunteers should confirm what is provided before arriving.

Insurance, Medical Care, and Personal Expenses

Unless specifically stated otherwise, volunteers may be responsible for their own:

• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Personal supplies
• Medical expenses
• Health insurance
• Vehicle insurance
• Travel-related costs
  
  

Volunteers should confirm deployment arrangements before traveling to a disaster area.

MCCFF does not guarantee that every volunteer expense will be reimbursed. Expenses should not be incurred with the expectation of reimbursement unless written approval has been provided in advance.

Volunteer Status

MCCFF volunteers provide their time and services without wages or employee benefits. Participation as a volunteer does not create an employment relationship with MCCFF or any of its partner organizations.

Volunteers may not represent themselves as employees, officers, official spokespersons, or authorized agents of MCCFF unless they have received written authorization.

Field Conditions

Disaster-recovery assignments may involve:

• Flood-damaged or fire-damaged properties
• Mud, ash, soot, smoke, mold, dust, sewage, or contaminated materials
• Fallen trees and unstable debris
• Sharp objects and damaged construction materials
• Heavy lifting
• Power tools and machinery
• Limited access to electricity, running water, restrooms, or medical care
• Shared or basic lodging
• Transportation in commercial, personal, or volunteer-operated vehicles
• Exposure to communicable illness
  
  

Volunteers must follow all site-specific instructions and understand that some assignments involve inherent risks.

Public Health and Illness

Volunteers should not report for service if they have symptoms of a contagious illness or have been advised to isolate.

A volunteer who becomes ill during an assignment should:

• Stop working
• Inform the team leader
• Avoid unnecessary contact with others
• Seek appropriate medical care
• Leave the service location when instructed or when safe to do so
  
  

Additional public-health requirements may be introduced depending on the location or circumstances of a response.

Photography, Video, and Privacy

MCCFF may document volunteer activities through photographs or video for education, reporting, fundraising, or public communication.

Volunteers will be informed when photography or recording is taking place. Individual releases may be required when a person can be clearly identified.

Volunteers must not publicly share:

• Names or personal information belonging to affected families
• Addresses of damaged homes without permission
• Medical or financial information
• Images of children without authorization
• Private conversations
• Sensitive recovery information
• Photographs that could embarrass, exploit, or endanger disaster survivors
  
  

The dignity and privacy of affected families must come before publicity.

Volunteer Activation

Registration does not mean a volunteer should immediately travel to a disaster area.

Volunteers should wait for official activation instructions that confirm:

• The service location
• Arrival date and time
• Assigned duties
• Required training
• Clothing and equipment needs
• Lodging and meal arrangements
• Transportation information
• Team leader contact details
• Expected length of service
  
  

Self-deploying to a disaster area can create safety, traffic, lodging, and coordination problems. Please do not travel until your assignment has been confirmed.

Maintaining Volunteer Information

Active volunteers should keep MCCFF informed of changes to their:

• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Emergency contact
• Availability
• Professional licenses
• Equipment qualifications
• Medical or physical limitations relevant to service
• Driving status
• Skills and areas of experience
  
  

Accurate information helps MCCFF place volunteers in appropriate roles during an emergency.