Volunteering and giving back to the community can improve provide interaction with others in an increasingly isolated world, improving your sense of well-being and worth. It is also increasingly needed.
How to become a ham radio operator
The American Radio Relay League (the national association for amateur radio)
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a free Citizens Corps program designed to enable citizens to care for themselves and their neighbors during the first three days following a disaster event. Participants are educated about disaster preparedness, CERT organization, light search and rescue, medical care, fire extinguisher use and disaster psychology. After training, you may volunteer with a local CERT team.
Sources to locate training include:
Fema Emergency Management Institute (take intro course online, with test)
To learn how you can register for CERT or find a program near you, please contact your local emergency manager or FEMA at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov