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Command center logs volunteers and funnels residents to FEMA, city sites and services
Summary
Rolla’s volunteer command center at Big Lots has processed more than 1,200 volunteers; officials said volunteers should check in so hours and equipment can be logged for FEMA/public‑assistance matching and so work is prioritized safely.
City staff and volunteer‑site managers said volunteer turnout has been large and useful, but that volunteers must register so the city can direct work safely and document hours and donated equipment for federal assistance calculations.
The mobile command center (Big Lots parking area) is assessing volunteers, providing basic safety training and coordinating assignments; Phelps Health staff are offering tetanus shots for volunteers on site. City staff said more than 1,200 volunteers had checked in on a recent day and that numbers fluctuate; the command center is logging hours, equipment and vehicle types because FEMA and state recovery programs use volunteer hours and in‑kind equipment value as part of public‑assistance match calculations.
Council staff said the city launched a central information portal (resilientrolla.com) and a resilientralla email to consolidate guidance, donation instructions and links to FEMA and other resources. Staff asked council members to direct residents and volunteer groups to that site and to the command center phone line, (573) 415‑9878.
City staff emphasized safety: volunteers receive short safety briefings, training and medical support if needed; they are also asked not to self‑deploy to heavy‑work areas without coordination. Command‑center staff will continue to scale down the intake function when volunteer flow decreases and will coordinate how donated goods are sorted so the city does not accumulate unusable material in the wrong locations.
Officials also told council members that volunteer hours and equipment will support FEMA’s public‑assistance calculations and could help the school district and other public entities match FEMA funding if a FEMA disaster declaration is approved.
