Volunteer For The Emergency Warming Center This Winter

We Need Your Help!

The City of Waterville is seeking volunteers to help staff an emergency warming center, and to also help meet other needs of our less fortunate neighbors. Volunteer, and receive training from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, on the following topics:

  • Basic Emergency Center Operation
  • De-escalation Training
  • Boundaries Training
  • Unhoused Services Training
  • CPR/AED, Narcan Administration
  • Basic Incident Command
  • General Policy and Procedures
  • Substance Use Disorder

If you possess a compassionate heart, and a commitment to making a difference, we invite you to join our team! Please email Teresa Crawford for more information. All volunteers are also required to complete a background check. The form for this check can be found using this link.

Warming and Cooling Center Plan

This plan outlines a response for implementing a Warming/Cooling Center during extreme cold/warm weather. This plan aims to ensure, as best as possible, that residents will have a safe space during inclement weather so that they may not be put in harm’s way due to extreme weather conditions. This SOP will strive to ensure the safe and effective operations of the Warming/Cooling Center for staff, volunteers, and its guests. This plan will also include effective methods of communication with the public and coordination with other agencies to ensure the town and its residents have the information and resources needed. The City of Waterville is susceptible to numerous threats and hazards that may require its residents to seek services.

Scope

This plan provides protocols and procedures for activating, operating, and deactivating the Warming/Cooling Center. It details activation and operating procedures, staff and volunteer requirements and roles, communication flow, and types of care provided.

Definition of Centers

● A Warming or Cooling Center is a temporary facility made available during extreme temperatures when normal coping mechanisms in the home are ineffective or unavailable.

● During power outages, the Center can be opened to provide public information, charging stations for electronic devices, and power for medical equipment.

● Centers are not overnight shelters or homeless shelters. They are open for a limited number of hours for a limited number of days and provide limited services. Centers are not daycares for children, the elderly, or others who cannot care for themselves. It is assumed that individuals using the Centers can return to their homes when closed.

Warming and Cooling Center Plan (PDF)