Community Organizations Active in Disaster (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.

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. 

• Knowledge and information (pre- and post-disaster)
• Minimizing duplication of efforts
• Identifying and addressing gaps in services
• Networking
• Sharing and maximizing of resources

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.