Influencing policy, management practices, and response capabilities for the effective management of spontaneous volunteers during disasters

Narrative

Professor Shaw and his colleagues at the University of Manchester used their operational research findings to develop an International Standard (ISO22319) for involving spontaneous volunteers in emergency situations. The new standard encapsulates principles that Shaw and his team have used to inform the development of plans, policies and practices for managing spontaneous volunteers in the UK, Chile and Argentina. In the UK, these actions have significantly improved the capacity of Local Authorities to respond effectively to emergencies, including enabling thousands of volunteers to contribute to recovery and relief efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The principles have also informed the Chilean government’s response to wildfires and tornadoes, and the response to COVID-19 by policymakers in Argentina and Chile.

Impact date	2015
Category of impact	Societal impacts