About
Whether you’re a resident looking to help, a community group responding to a disaster, or a COAD or VOAD interested in collaboration, this page offers the tools to get involved. You can register as a Disaster Recovery Volunteer, request volunteer support for your organization, or share your agency’s capacity and contact information. Our goal is to ensure timely, organized, and impactful volunteer deployment that supports the overall emergency response and recovery process in Howard County.
This centralized volunteer effort operates under the County Coordinating Function: Volunteer Management.
Volunteer Status Update
Stay informed about current volunteer needs. This section will be updated to reflect when and where help is needed most. Even if there are no immediate requests, your preparedness and willingness to serve are essential.
STATUS: There is currently no need for Emergency Volunteers support.
Volunteer Information
Get Ready, Plan Ahead
Emergencies can happen with little to no warning, but your response doesn’t have to be unprepared. Registering in advance as a Disaster Recovery Volunteer allows us to quickly identify your skills, confirm your interest, and get in touch when help is needed most. This speeds up the response process and ensures the right support is sent to the right places at the right time.
By planning ahead, you’re not just preparing yourself, you’re strengthening the entire community. You’ll be part of a growing network of ready volunteers who can assist with everything from shelter support and cleanup efforts to administrative tasks and supply distribution.
Benefits of registering now:
- Help reduce response time during a crisis
- Join a coordinated effort that maximizes community impact
- Get connected to meaningful volunteer opportunities
Request Volunteers for Disaster Response
If your organization is responding to a disaster and needs volunteer assistance, click the link below to submit a request. The Emergency Volunteer Management Team will collect your information and assess your needs. Our goal is to match available volunteers with community organizations that need help the most—whether for cleanup efforts, resource distribution, administrative support, or other recovery-related tasks.
Support for VOADs and Community Based Organizations
Community-based organizations and VOADs are encouraged to use the link below to express interest in collaborating with the Emergency Volunteer Management Team. By connecting with us before and during emergencies, we can compile a shared list of available resources and points of contact. This proactive communication helps ensure a more coordinated response when disaster strikes and allows us to better support one another through all phases of recovery.