Posted on October 6, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The Starke County COAD is looking for local restaurants and businesses willing to donate food, beverages and other resources to first responders during lengthy emergency situations.
This would be a local effort similar to canteen services offered by the Red Cross. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier would assist the COAD with this initiative. When a major incident occurs and responders are expected to be out in the field for an extended period of time, she would call on COAD members to get resources to the scene as soon as possible.
In order to be able to respond quickly, there has to be an established network of places that COAD members could call when an incident strikes.
A recent example of how the Starke County Community Organization Active in Disaster group was able to assist first responders was during a tabletop exercise where law enforcement, firefighters and medical professionals gathered to practice for an incident involving a hazardous material.
COAD member Sharon Krick coordinated with Christos and Five Star and they supplied lunch for when the exercise was finished.
Whether it’s providing water on especially hot days or supplying food to help responders replenish their energy, any kind of assistance would be beneficial.
If you are a business owner interested in providing assistance to the first responders please contact Starke County EMA Director J. Nier at 574-772-9182 or send an email to starke.county.coad@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD). Show all posts
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Red Cross Volunteer Training Discussed by Starke County COAD
Posted on October 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Local individuals driven to help in the event of an emergency recently attended a Red Cross volunteer training session held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox.
The church’s parish nurse Sharon Krick organized the session in conjunction with the Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Krick reported that it was a pretty successful event. There were 24 individuals who indicated that they were interested and the majority showed up. About 20 people attended the training course on Sunday, September 23rd.
Disaster Program Manager of Northern Indiana Abe Rivas ran the session and provided a number of different scenarios in which a team of local volunteers would be useful.
From shelter work during major crises to providing assistance to a family after a house fire, there are a variety of ways that volunteers are needed right here in our community. Rivas also explained that in order to become a certified Red Cross volunteer, individuals have to sign up via the organization’s website.
Though Tuesday night’s COAD meeting was sparsely attended, members kicked around the idea of potentially hosting a future training session in the library so that computers would be accessible immediately following the informative presentation. This could potentially increase the number of people who follow up with the additional steps to become a certified Red Cross volunteer.
Though the procedure isn’t overly complicated, it does require interested volunteers to create a Red Cross ID and fill out a form with some questions about the types of opportunities they’d be interested in. If the training group was to go through this process together, it could create more of an incentive to carry through with it right away.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Local individuals driven to help in the event of an emergency recently attended a Red Cross volunteer training session held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox.
The church’s parish nurse Sharon Krick organized the session in conjunction with the Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Krick reported that it was a pretty successful event. There were 24 individuals who indicated that they were interested and the majority showed up. About 20 people attended the training course on Sunday, September 23rd.
Disaster Program Manager of Northern Indiana Abe Rivas ran the session and provided a number of different scenarios in which a team of local volunteers would be useful.
From shelter work during major crises to providing assistance to a family after a house fire, there are a variety of ways that volunteers are needed right here in our community. Rivas also explained that in order to become a certified Red Cross volunteer, individuals have to sign up via the organization’s website.
Though Tuesday night’s COAD meeting was sparsely attended, members kicked around the idea of potentially hosting a future training session in the library so that computers would be accessible immediately following the informative presentation. This could potentially increase the number of people who follow up with the additional steps to become a certified Red Cross volunteer.
Though the procedure isn’t overly complicated, it does require interested volunteers to create a Red Cross ID and fill out a form with some questions about the types of opportunities they’d be interested in. If the training group was to go through this process together, it could create more of an incentive to carry through with it right away.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
10/2/2018 Starke County COAD Meets Tonight
Posted on October 2, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster will meet tonight at 6 p.m. where members will review a recent Red Cross Volunteer training session that was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at the end of September.
Members will also discuss efforts that have been made to get food for the Local Emergency Planning Committee’s Hazardous Response Exercise on the COAD’s behalf and plans for providing food to first responders in the future.
As it is now National Fire Prevention Month, members will also consider any potential projects or community initiatives. The group will also attempt to form a board this evening.
The meeting is open to all members of the public, especially any interested representatives of community organizations. It will be held in the meeting room at the Purdue Extension Offices, located on the lower level of Starke County Annex Building #2 (the old jail building).
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster will meet tonight at 6 p.m. where members will review a recent Red Cross Volunteer training session that was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at the end of September.
Members will also discuss efforts that have been made to get food for the Local Emergency Planning Committee’s Hazardous Response Exercise on the COAD’s behalf and plans for providing food to first responders in the future.
As it is now National Fire Prevention Month, members will also consider any potential projects or community initiatives. The group will also attempt to form a board this evening.
The meeting is open to all members of the public, especially any interested representatives of community organizations. It will be held in the meeting room at the Purdue Extension Offices, located on the lower level of Starke County Annex Building #2 (the old jail building).
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Starke County COAD Sets Meeting Schedule, Discusses Establishing a Board
Posted on August 15, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Members of the Starke County Community Organization Active in Disaster group established a more consistent meeting schedule when they convened Tuesday night.
Previously, the COAD was meeting every other month due to various obligations during the summer months. However, in order to keep people more engaged, members opted to move to monthly meetings. They will now meet the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
Additionally, members discussed the development of a COAD Board. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier has been facilitating the creation of COAD but said ultimately, it is meant to be run by community members. There are a few existing members who seemed like they would be a good fit for certain positions but additional representatives are still needed.
Red Cross Doug Farmwald suggested approaching various organizations within the community who would need to be involved with disaster response and recovery. He encouraged directly communicating with people who work with those organizations to let them know that they may want to get involved with the COAD.
For instance, somebody who already works with a charitable organization or financial institution would be a good candidate for the treasurer’s position since that person will be responsible for keeping track of the finances and helping the group obtain a 501(c) (3) status.
The existing members will be reaching out to other individuals in the community who would benefit from being involved with the group. Even people who don’t want to serve on the board could still be helpful as a member and volunteer.
The next COAD meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 4th. All interested community members and organization officials are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions visit the Starke County COAD Facebook page or contact EMA Director Nier at 574-772-9182.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Members of the Starke County Community Organization Active in Disaster group established a more consistent meeting schedule when they convened Tuesday night.
Previously, the COAD was meeting every other month due to various obligations during the summer months. However, in order to keep people more engaged, members opted to move to monthly meetings. They will now meet the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
Additionally, members discussed the development of a COAD Board. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier has been facilitating the creation of COAD but said ultimately, it is meant to be run by community members. There are a few existing members who seemed like they would be a good fit for certain positions but additional representatives are still needed.
Red Cross Doug Farmwald suggested approaching various organizations within the community who would need to be involved with disaster response and recovery. He encouraged directly communicating with people who work with those organizations to let them know that they may want to get involved with the COAD.
For instance, somebody who already works with a charitable organization or financial institution would be a good candidate for the treasurer’s position since that person will be responsible for keeping track of the finances and helping the group obtain a 501(c) (3) status.
The existing members will be reaching out to other individuals in the community who would benefit from being involved with the group. Even people who don’t want to serve on the board could still be helpful as a member and volunteer.
The next COAD meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 4th. All interested community members and organization officials are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions visit the Starke County COAD Facebook page or contact EMA Director Nier at 574-772-9182.
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