Maryland VOAD

Responding to natural disasters is a rewarding experience for both volunteers and organizations, especially when efforts are coordinated

and effective.

June 30, 2010

National VOAD:

Video celebrating 40th Year

What is VOAD?• VOAD is an umbrella organization of non-government,

government, faith-based organizations, businesses and related groups that come together to foster coordinated disaster response.

• VOAD does not impinge on its members’ autonomy or mission.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)

• Initial meeting in 1969 following Hurricane Camille

• Formally organized in 1970

• 49 national member organizations

• Annual Conference since 1992

• Provides policy guidance for State and local VOADS

• 63 State and Territorial VOADS

• NVOAD model adopted by Japan following the Kobe earthquake in 1995

• Listed as a Cooperating Agency in the Volunteer and Donations Management Support Annex of the National Response Framework

• Is a signatory on the National Response Framework (one of two NGOs)

• MOU signed between FEMA and National VOAD in May 2010

• Maryland VOAD is a member of National VOAD

• Maryland VOAD organized in 1996

Maryland VOAD History:

To bring together voluntary organizations active in disaster services for the purpose of fostering more effective response to the people of Maryland in times of disaster

Maryland VOAD Purpose:

• Cooperation: creating a climate for cooperation among organizations at all levels, and providing a channel for information sharing via meetings;

• Coordination: fostering a common understanding and providing a liaison with public offices;

• Communication: publishing and disseminating information;

• Collaboration: working together.

Maryland VOAD works to foster more effective disaster response through:

Full Members: voluntary or non-profit organizations with a parent organization that belongs to NVOAD.

Associate Members (non-voting): voluntary or non-profit organizations without parent organizations that are members of NVOAD; executive council can also grant associate membership to governmental agencies.

Affiliate Members (non-voting): corporate partners and other persons or organizations that do not meet criteria for full or associate membership.

Local VOAD Members (non-voting): county or local agencies active in disaster that convene to form a local umbrella organization with the spirit of MDVOAD are eligible to become Local VOAD Members. Also called COADs.

Who can be a member of Maryland VOAD?

Maryland VOADParticipating Organizations

• Adventist Community Services• American Red Cross• Baltimore Co. Volunteers• Baptist Convention of MD/DE• Catholic Charities• Church of the Brethren• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints• Churches of Scientology Disaster Response• Citizen Corps of Frederick County• Civil Air Patrol• Diakon/Lutheran Social Ministries• FEMA• Fidos for Freedom• GOCI• House of Imogene Shelters• HSUS• International Orthodox Christian Charities • Lions/Lioness Clubs, District 22W• Maryland Alliance of Guide Dog Users• Maryland Department of Disabilities

• Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene• Maryland Department of Human Resources• Maryland SART• MEMA• Mercy Medical Airlift/Angel-Flight• Montgomery County Volunteer Center• Maryland Food Bank• NVOAD• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance • The Disaster Response Ministry of the Presbyterian

Church in America• Prince George’s County Volunteer Center• Salvation Army• Tzu Chi Foundation • United Methodist Church• Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County• Volunteer Center Serving Howard County• Volunteer Frederick• Volunteer Maryland• We Care Ministries

• Participate in disaster relief activities in Maryland

• Identify response and disaster relief capabilities

• Attend quarterly meetings

• Maintain current contact information

• Develop an internal response plan

What is expected of Maryland VOAD members?

• Full members are supporting agencies in 9 of 15 state Emergency Support Functions (ESFs): 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15

• Associate members are primary agencies in 5 of 15 ESFs: 5, 6, 8, 11 and 15

• Members involved in all phases of disaster management: Preparedness, Response, Recovery & Mitigation

• Maryland VOAD Resource Directory updated annually including capabilities matrix (2010 edition available online)

• Cooperate, Coordinate, Communicate & Collaborate

What is Maryland VOAD’s role in a major disaster?

• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD): www.nvoad.org

• Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters: www.mdvoad.org

VOAD on the web

A collaboration of human services organizations,the faith community, and others –

ready to help the survivorsof major disasters in Maryland

Questions?