Disaster Response Organization

Save to Favorites

At the request of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MD VOAD) has established a web portal for statewide disaster volunteering. Called the Disaster Agency Response Technology (DART) platform, it provides the capability for state and local Government and non-profit disaster response and relief organizations to post statewide volunteer opportunities and to identify in-kind materials and services needed. Volunteers and businesses can then register and offer their volunteer and/or in-kind services. The website is
https://dart-md.communityos. org/.

The intent of this platform is not only to address the current COVID-19 pandemic but to also address unknown, future events that require disaster response. Volunteers can register with basic information about themselves and can also identify key skills that they offer. They may then be contacted with a broad need for volunteers or a more specific skill-based need. The volunteer, of course, has no obligation to respond.

As part of registration, the site offers a low-cost background check since many agencies will require one. NOTE: POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS DO NOT NEED TO APPLY FOR THIS BACKGROUND CHECK AT THIS TIME!!! They may be able to use an existing one if they are affiliated with a local non-profit or they can simply wait until they have an actual volunteer opportunity that they want to respond to. The background check is usually completed in 24 to 48 hours.