JOB AID: Event VCC Lead

The purpose of this article is to prep staff to serve as the Lead at a Volunteer Coordination Center (VCC) during a parade event. The Lead is the on-site volunteer manager and leads/assists with communications coordination.

VCC Lead KSAs and Equipment

A VCC Lead should have training and experience in:

1. Communications management, particularly experience with whatever radio(s) the volunteers and ECC use for the event;
2. Volunteer management.

Supplemental (non-critical) KSAs include:

• Incident Command System (ICS) experience;
• Mental health crisis de-escalation;
• First aid certification (or higher).

Recommended personal equipment:

• Radios and extra batteries: If the ECC is activated, check out an 800 MHz and make sure it is fully charged. If volunteers will operate on FRS/GMRS, bring one FRS/GMRS radio for each channel they may simultaneously communicate on so you can monitor all frequencies (for example: if they will use two channels and have two backup channels, you need two radios).
• Weather appropriate clothing: Be sure to check that weather forecast before your shift!
• Camp chair or camp stool: You might regret it if you don't bring one.
• Weather relevant supplies: If it's gonna be hot and sunny, make sure you have some shade and sunscreen. If it's going to rain, make sure you have watertight footwear and a rain poncho or umbrella (and preferably some cover).

The Volunteer Coordination Center (VCC)

Physically, the VCC is located just off the parade route. The purpose of a VCC is to:

1. Coordinate volunteer communications (via radio or other means);
2. Communicate with the ECC if it activated for the event;
3. Distribute resources to volunteers (e.g. water, PPE, etc.);
4. Check in and check out volunteers.

It is generally not the responsibility of the VCC Lead to set up or tear down the VCC itself. However, that might emerge as part of the Lead's responsibilities if the event organizers are under-resourced.