Noble County Indiana

This is a whole-community approach to be able to withstand, respond to, and recover from the impact of a disaster in a timely way.

“Whole Community” means engaging business, government, faith-based, non-profit sectors, community groups and volunteers to be part of the capabilities and resources of the community in recovery.

If something big happens, the state & feds will come in and take over! Help will come . . . But how soon? What will/can you do until it arrives?▪ What local assets can be deployed?▪ Who do you call to get them? (On Saturday night?)

How will you communicate your needs? Recharge phone/radios? - Texting/Social Media

GPS? What good is that? It thinks the streets/addresses are still there!

We gathered some key people and kicked some ideas around

We decided that Forming a “COAD” was the first step

▪ Community Organizations Active in Disasters

A “COAD” helps communities in a disaster by creating relationships prior to an incident/event so we they can make the best use of limited local resources

It is a collaborative network of organizations, agencies, individuals, businesses, faith-based, etc., which work together to minimize the effects of a disaster.

Everyone retains their autonomy but by coordinating their efforts they avoid duplication of services.▪ Equal partners united under a common goal

We contacted Steve Cain for guidance He gave us information/templates

We made a list of possible members Think outside the box (American Legion? Nursing Homes?)

We scheduled a meeting We had Steve there to answer questions

We eventually drafted by-laws/Elected Officers Found a fiscal agent to manage funds/donations

We developed our own Standard Operating Guidelines This SOG is unique to Noble County

SOG vs. Bylaws: The “Purpose” section outlines the

“functions” the COAD will be addressing:▪ Mass Care/Sheltering▪ Clothing▪ Food▪ Emotional/spiritual support▪ Donated goods management▪ Emergent volunteer management▪ Unmet needs

The “Concept of Operations” section outlines positions and responsibilities:▪ The Response Coordinator▪ Individual COAD Members▪ Transitioning to an “Unmet Needs” Committee

Other sections:▪ Preparedness▪ Response▪ Case Management Process

It’s tough to keep people interested when there are no disaster taking place

With the guidance of our SOG, we can function.

▪ We will be adding annexes: “just-in-time” training”, Check-lists & go-kits Quarterly meetings and exercises

“Incidents must be managed at the lowest possible jurisdictional level and supported by additional capabilities when needed.”▪ (National Response Framework)

Who’s in charge of the COAD operations?

How do their activities coordinate with the overall response including state/federal?

“Coordinator”

Not“Commander

”

Organization and documentation could lead to recovery dollars!!

# +High

-Low

Tasks

Time of the Incident

Stabilization

Window of

Response

Recovery

Resources

The Bottom Line:It’s About “Response Time”

Start

Tasks

ResourcesTime of the Incident

Window of

Response

#+High

-Low

Stabilization?

The Bottom Line:It’s About “Response Time”

Start

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Questions/Comments?

YOYO▪You’re On Your Own

YAHOO▪You Always Have Other Options