Workforce Development & the 4Rs Continue Site Visits in Utah with the DataCorps
Author: Cici Akuley
Nestled in the Mountain West region of the United States, rural Utah is known for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes. Nevertheless, residents must also contend with a wide range of natural disasters that include droughts, floods, and wildfires. The Workforce Development & the 4Rs project research team, along with our DataCorps fellows, visited Richfield, Utah to study a group of AmeriCorps Retired Seniors Volunteers (RSVPs) who work to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters. The RSVP activities in the area are managed by the R6 Regional Council. This was the team’s second site visit of the summer, following the team’s trip to New Orleans in May.
This research aimed to explore the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by volunteers in Richfield and highlighted the volunteers’ dedication to providing essential support during emergencies and periods of crisis.
Research team members opened the site visit by presenting an overview of the study, outlining its objectives, methodology, and sponsors. The research team employed a mixed-methods approach. First, a digital survey was administered to each participant. The research team was available to offer clarification and support where needed, ensuring that all participants were able to fully engage with the questions.
Next, a member of the research team led a focus group during which volunteers shared their personal motivations for volunteering, how they first became involved, and how they sustain their commitment despite challenges.
The volunteers were involved in a range of activities related to disasters, such as assembling fire response stations with sandbags, setting up Red Cross cooling stations during extreme heat, assisting families in the aftermath of house fires, and operating ham radios. Cooling stations play an especially critical role in protecting vulnerable community members especially the elderly, children, and individuals with health conditions by providing safe, air-conditioned spaces during extreme heat events.
The volunteers highlighted the importance of training and adaptability required to respond to diverse crises such as wildfires, floods, and power outages. Volunteers also emphasized the emotional rewards of service, noting that hearing someone’s voice go from distress to hope is what keeps them volunteering.
The team will conduct one more site visit at the end of June in Los Angeles.
Cici Akuley is a master’s student at American University and a DataCorps Fellow associated with the Workforce Development & the 4Rs research project.
