Disasters can strike at any time, leaving homes damaged or inhabitable, and people without a place to stay. When the need arises, emergency volunteers and responders open community shelters throughout the county to support the needs of residents.

On Sat., July 14, Pierce County will hold their fourth annual “Community Emergency Shelter Summit” from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Puyallup Pierce College Campus, 1601 39th Ave. SE, in Puyallup. All community members, current shelter team members, and those interested in volunteering in the community are invited to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, hear speakers, and end the day with a shelter exercise. Workshops include an overview of the January 2012 ice and snow storm response; a roundtable discussion on the lessons learned from the January storm; Functional Assessment Service Teams (FAST) and CARE Teams; and opening and operating a shelter.

The majority of the county’s local shelters are run by volunteers who devote their time to helping others. If you are interested in learning more about shelters or want to become a shelter volunteer, this is a great opportunity to get involved. Register for this free training by Thurs., July 12 online here or by calling (253) 798-2168.

Two additional trainings will also be offered on Weds., July 11 and Weds., July 18. These presentations are on the county’s FAST, a new program to assist individuals in shelters who have accommodation needs. Both will be held at Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities, 6315 South 19th St., in Tacoma. For more information is online here.