Save lives this winter - Volunteer at Severe Weather Shelters

About

What is Severe Weather?

Transition Projects is contracted through the Joint Office of Homeless Services to operate Severe Weather Shelter (SWS) as needed from November 1st – March 31st. Weather is monitored through National Weather Service (NWS); if certain thresholds are met, severe weather will be declared, and additional shelter spaces opened. Once severe weather has been declared, the Emergency Operations Manager will notify staff and volunteers of activation and shift coverage needs, using our text message notification system.

Triggers for Activating Severe Weather Shelter:

● Forecasted temperatures or wind chill of 25 degrees or less

● 32 degrees and 1 inch of precipitation is forecasted overnight

● 1 inch of snow/ice on the ground in Portland.

Severe Weather Shelter Positions for Volunteers The Emergency Operations Manager oversees the sites and each site has a supervisor, the PIC (person in charge). Staff and volunteers, after set-up of the site, take the following positions:

o Two staff greet participants at the entry door letting people in and directing folks to the proper area.

o Two staff/volunteers walking the milieu assisting visitors with blankets and information.

o One staff/volunteer is posted at each exit.

NOTE: staff may move around and trade positions throughout their shift.

Requirements

Becoming a Severe Weather Shelter Volunteer:

In order to volunteer with severe weather shelters, interested volunteers must:

· Attend a Transition Projects volunteer orientation, a 1-hour online meeting

o See upcoming orientation sessions and sign up to attend here

· Complete volunteer onboarding forms, including application, background check authorization, and review of volunteer policies

· Attend 1-hour Severe Weather Shelter training session

o Training sign up will be shared with interested volunteers

Once all onboarding steps are complete, volunteers will be added to the Severe Weather SMS notification list to receive text messages when severe weather is declared.