First Cattaraugus, Allegany Counties COAD Meeting Slated

COADs engage entire communities to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Representatives from emergency services, government agencies, and community organizations in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties will meet in January to establish a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) group for the region.

To strengthen local disaster preparedness and response, the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties (UWCAC) will host a virtual COAD meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. The session will explore how local organizations can collaborate before, during, and after disasters.

COADs are county or regional coalitions that coordinate nonprofit efforts in times of emergency. They work in partnership with county emergency management offices and are chartered by New York VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Currently, 46 counties across New York have active COADs.

“COADs strengthen communities from the ground up,” said Sue McAuley, UWCAC executive director. “By organizing before disaster strikes, we can ensure our local nonprofits, agencies, and volunteers are ready to prepare, respond, and recover together when people need help most.”

An initial informational meeting on COADs was held November 12 at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, where participants expressed strong interest in developing a local coalition.

For more information on the COAD and to register for the meeting, visit www.uwcac.org/coad

The United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. They tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic solutions, and health resources.