Habitat Northumberland Calls for Volunteers to Help Communities Prepare for Emergencies
New Emergency Preparedness Program will train local volunteers to support disaster response and recovery efforts
COBOURG, ON – October 16, 2026 – When disaster strikes, having trained volunteers ready to lend a hand can make all the difference. Habitat for Humanity Northumberland is calling on community members to join a new Emergency Preparedness Program designed to strengthen local capacity to respond to emergencies and help communities recover and rebuild.
Working alongside Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex and Habitat for Humanity Hamilton, Habitat Northumberland is developing a dedicated team of volunteers who can support government-led emergency response efforts during natural or human-caused disasters.
“Habitat has always been about bringing people together to help others,” says David Moscher, Program Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland. “Through this program, we're taking the skills and experience we've developed in home repairs and renovations and putting them to work in a new way. We're looking for people who want to learn, work as a team and be ready to help their community when it matters most.”
For more than eight years, Habitat Northumberland has operated its Home Repairs & Renovations program, helping vulnerable homeowners complete essential repairs to remain safely in their homes. The Emergency Preparedness Program builds on that experience, combining practical construction and repair skills with specialized emergency training.
Volunteers will have opportunities to:
Receive training in emergency response procedures, tools and techniques.
Gain hands-on experience alongside Habitat's build team through repairs, renovations and salvage projects.
Participate in CPR and AED training.
Take part in mock emergency exercises to practice their skills.
Support emergency response, recovery and rebuilding efforts when called upon.
No previous emergency response experience is required. Habitat is looking for dependable team players who enjoy learning new skills, helping others and working safely. The program is designed to be flexible, with a manageable time commitment for training and a willingness to assist when needed.
Interested? Come Meet the Team!
Habitat Northumberland is hosting two volunteer information open houses where community members can learn more about the program, ask questions and explore how they can get involved.
Dates: Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, November 14, 2026Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 764 Division Street, Cobourg
Those unable to attend an open house are encouraged to reach out directly.
Habitat Northumberland is also hosting a mock deployment on Monday, November 30th, where our team will learn PPE safety and hazard recognition and engage in exercises dealing with brush clearing, water removal, sandbagging, and wellness checks.
To learn more or volunteer:
Contact David at 905-207-7602 or 289-252-0999 ext. 36, or email volunteer@habitatnorthumberland.ca.
About Habitat for Humanity Northumberland
Habitat for Humanity Northumberland is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families build strength, stability and independence through affordable housing solutions. Through its homeownership initiatives, Home Repairs & Renovations program and Cobourg ReStore, Habitat works to preserve and expand access to safe, affordable housing throughout Northumberland County.
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