Butler County residents interested in volunteering their time to help the community in times of trouble are encouraged to become affiliated with a group called Pennsylvania Volunteers.
The group is a certified nonprofit organization started here in Butler County, but they are following the procedures of other groups across the country and using guidelines from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The head of emergency services in Butler County Steve Bicehouse introduced the group to the county commissioners at a meeting this week, and asked them to OK an affiliation with the county. The board unanimously agreed.
The agreement designated Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known as PA-V, as the sole nonprofit volunteer organization to provide free volunteer service in times of widespread disaster. For us here in Butler County, Bicehouse says that would be caused by severe weather events, like flooding or tornado damage.
Officials say when severe weather occurs, often things become unorganized because of the number of people wanting to help. This group helps streamline the process and provide training to the volunteers.
“If people want to help, it’s important they get signed up with an organization,” Commissioner Kevin Boozel said.
The group meets once a month for a meeting and training. The organization’s next meeting is Oct. 8 at the American Legion Post 778 in Butler.
More information is available here and here.
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