Who Is Part of a COAD?
A COAD brings together organizations from all sectors of the community including not-for-profit agencies, local businesses, faith-based groups and local governments.
Because a COAD is locally driven, the local stakeholders are crucial. The better understanding everyone has of one another prior to a disaster, the more effective a local response and recovery will be after a disaster.
Getting involved is easy. Members simply agree to be part of the network and share their current contact information. Some members are more active than others in preparing for their disaster role, but all members are encouraged to actively participate as that adds to the greater good of the community. General membership meetings are held quarterly with open meetings of the Board of Directors in other months. These meetings are working meetings to develop the plans for better coordination in an emergency. Any community organization may send a representative to the COAD meetings.
What are the Keys to a Successful COAD?
Collaboration:
- Develop a structure that works for your community
- Develop a relationship with Emergency Management and first responders
- Be inclusive with membership
- Maintain relationships
- Create Memorandum of Understanding where needed
- Collaborate with Indiana VOAD
Development:
- Help establish disaster/emergency training programs in your area
- Identify potential hazards to your community
- Prepare for response and recovery
- Identify gaps in services
- Develop a written recovery pan
- Learn and become trained in the Incident Command Structure (ICS)
Asset Building:
- Hold tabletop exercises
- Conduct cross training among agencies
- Develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping
- Map the assets of the community including shelters and available housing partners