Nonprofit Hub Planning Meeting to Establish Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) for Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties
Flooding, storms, and other disasters can strike any community at any time. When that happens, a coordinated response can make all the difference in how quickly a community recovers.
To strengthen local preparedness, the Cattaraugus Nonprofit Hub will host a planning meeting from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, at Jamestown Community College’s Cutco Theatre to form a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) for Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. The event will bring together nonprofits, government agencies, and emergency management partners to discuss how local organizations can collaborate before, during, and after disasters.
Community Organizations Active in Disaster, or COADs, are county or regional coalitions that coordinate nonprofit efforts during emergencies. They operate in partnership with County Emergency Managers and are chartered by New York VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Currently, 46 counties across New York have active COADs.
“COADs help ensure that when disaster strikes, local nonprofits are organized, informed, and ready to respond,” Sue McAuley, United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties executive director, said. “This is about building local capacity to meet local needs when it matters most.”
During the November 12 meeting, participants will:
Learn how COADs operate in other New York counties
Hear from experts involved in COAD development and emergency planning
Discuss existing emergency plans and identify opportunities for collaboration
The following speakers will present on the importance of and steps to create a COAD in the region:
Melissa Axley, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Individual Assistance Recovery/Voluntary Agency Liaison Supervisor
Barbara Hubbell, Director of Community Impact with United Way of the Southern Tier
Tim Marshall, Director of Public Safety at Steuben County
Chris Baker, Cattaraugus County Emergency Services Director and County Fire Coordinator
Scott Golden, Allegany County Director of Emergency Management
This initial session will launch a planning process to establish a COAD for Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, helping the region better prepare for whatever challenges may come.
To register and learn more, visit www.uwcac.org/coad
The Cattaraugus Nonprofit Hub is a countywide initiative designed to increase collaboration and enhance the capacity and impact of civic organizations throughout Cattaraugus County.
Supported by key partners, including the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation, the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, the Hub provides a vital space for nonprofits and government agencies to come together to share resources, collaborate and strengthen the local nonprofit ecosystem.
