The next regularly scheduled Flagler COAD meeting is January 17, 2023 at 1:00pm at the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center. Click here for more information. We may include a meeting in November as a result of Hurricane Ian. If so, email notification will be given.
WHAT IS COAD?
Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a group of community organizations, businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to plan community responses to a variety of emergency and disaster situations.
WHY COAD?
Imagine having a potluck dinner with strangers and no prior coordination. The likely result would be a disorganized and unbalanced buffet table, some awkward dinner conversation, and lots of no-shows.
Now imagine responding to an unplanned event such as a hurricane or wildfire without any prior collaboration or communication between the organizations that are on the front lines. While fire, police and emergency management professionals are responding to the immediate health and safety needs of the community, the non-profit organizations and houses of worship are the first entities to meet the basic needs of the community. From the moment disaster strikes, these non-governmental organizations provide food, shelter, clothing, guidance, and care. Community organizations are on the ground and available to deliver services long before FEMA and national organizations arrive on the scene and long after these organizations move on. However, no organization can respond alone, and we need to coordinate the efforts of public, private and non-profit sectors in order to meet the needs of community members. That is why Flagler County needs a COAD.
REGISTER TODAY!
Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) brings together local organizations and houses of worship with local officials and emergency management professionals to strengthen the overall community response to a disaster and help the community better plan and prepare for whatever may lie ahead. The COAD does not deliver any services directly but fosters communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation (the 4 C’s) among governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide the most effective services to our community. Through regular meetings, training, and information sharing, organizations build plans and form partnerships to better respond when a disaster strikes.
The benefits of joining COAD are numerous, but the hightlights include:
Knowledge and information (pre- and post-disaster)
Minimizing duplication of efforts
Identifying and addressing gaps in services
Networking
Sharing and maximizing of resources
COAD builds synergy in the community; we can do more together than individually. Being a member of COAD provides access to resources and services that can benefit your organization and the people you serve during the “blue sky” days as well as during times of disaster. Through joining together as a COAD, we can better respond to small and large-scale disasters affecting one individual or the whole community.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at volunteer@flagervolunteer.org or call (386)597-2950.
“It Started Like Any Other Day,” a video prepared by FEMA, tells the stories of families affected by disaster. Learn why it is important to have a plan for yourself, your family, your business and your community.
Goals of Collaboration Groups
Enhance Communication, Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration
Enhance community’s ability to prepare, respond, recover and mitigate
Alleviate the suffering caused by disasters
Coordinate human services in disaster
Develop plans, train and exercise for disaster operations
