Published: November 06, 2009 06:01 pm      

New disaster-relief organization starts locally

Southern Indiana agencies spurred by recent acts of nature

On Nov. 5, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would not provide any aid to Southern Indiana for the August floods, and on that same day area service agencies gathered at the New Albany Salvation Army to start a new disaster relief organization called COAD.

“COAD stands for Community Organizations Active in Disaster,” said Amy Bernheisel, Clark Floyd and Harrison County COAD project manager. “And there are a bunch of them springing up all over the state. It’s basically a way for community organizations to have a forum where they can streamline their disaster services, exchange ideas and cross-train.

“It became apparent after the ice storm that there were some issues of disaster response. While all of our people did a tremendous job of serving the needs of the people in the community, and as we continue to do so, we are always continuously working to improve. And COAD is meant to help streamline communications and make sure if there are any needs not being met those are addressed.”

Area agencies, from Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Harrison County Community Foundation, LifeSpan Resources, Interfaith Community Council, Floyd County Emergency Management as well as local churches were some of the organizations in attendance at the meeting. The organizations’ representatives were given the opportunity to network and hear two guest speakers. Kevin Cox, president and founder of Hope Crisis Response Network, and Steve Cain, president of INVOAD, took questions from COAD members as well as explained what a COAD is and what to do to be a successful organization.

“All these people are in this room and some of these people are meeting each other for the first time,” Bernheisel said, “and really the COAD is about building networks. I really just want to cement the COAD concept in everyone’s mind and also get them excited about the prospect of a COAD. These people are really busy and they do important work, and the success of the COAD going forward depends on their commitment. Also we want to make sure the community understands.”

The Metro United Way is supporting this organization with funds from a Lily Grant that was endowed to the agency.

“From the disasters that occurred in Southern Indiana the service providers expressed that there is sometimes a disconnect or lack of coordination among them,” Jan Sherrell, Metro United Way associate director of agency relations said. “So this was a step at defining who does what and where and providing better service when the next disaster hits.”

The meeting sparked enthusiasm among the members. Several members commented on the need for this organization, and the need to get other organizations involved.

“It’s helpful to get everybody organized, so everybody knows what each other is doing,” Terry Herthel, director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, said. “There is a lot of duplication of services and a lot of services that aren’t being taken care of at all.”

Bernheisel said this is a long term commitment and hopes to see this organization grow to other counties as well as into a long-term recovery committee.

“I think it’s critical,” Bernheisel said.