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Introducing . . .

Explore the journey of Santa Barbara VOAD, founded in 1969 and restructured in 2007, to enhance volunteer coordination and disaster response post Hurricane Camille. Learn about response deficiencies, formation of National VOAD, and current achievements in disaster resource management.

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Introducing . . .

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  1. Introducing . . . Eric DahlCoordinator, Santa Barbara VOAD and San Luis Obispo County VOADVice President, Southern California VOAD August 25, 2011

  2. It began in 1969 with Hurricane Camille • Second strongest landfall in recorded US history. • Category 5 with winds of at least 190 miles per hour.

  3. It began in 1969 with Hurricane Camille • 8,931 injuries • 296 deaths: 143 in Gulf states and 153 in Virginia due to catastrophic flooding • 5,662 homes destroyed, 13,915 severely damaged Responding agencies did the best they could, but . . .

  4. Response Deficiencies • Services were not coordinated • Numerous organizations served disaster victims independently of one another, including government and the nonprofit sector. • Help came to the disaster victim haphazardly as different organizations assisted in specific ways. • Service coverage was uneven • Some efforts were duplicated, wasting precious resources. • Some needs were not met, leaving victims vulnerable.

  5. Response Deficiencies • Volunteers were poorly utilized • Many organizations offered the same kinds of volunteer opportunities, while there was a total lack of other service opportunities, frustrating volunteers. • Training was limited or unavailable. • Information sharing was haphazard • Public information about services during and after the disaster was inadequate and "catch-as-catch-can." • Communication among voluntary disaster agencies was very limited and mechanisms for coordinating services were non-existent.

  6. National VOAD Founded in 1970 • Seven national nonprofit organizations met on July 15, 1970, at the headquarters of the American Red Cross to address these problems and to improve coordination of national disaster responses. • American Red Cross • Christian Reformed World Relief Committee • Mennonite Disaster Service • National Disaster Relief Office of the Roman Catholic Church • Seventh-day Adventist Church • Southern Baptist Convention • St. Vincent de Paul Society • Annual meetings were held starting in 1971. • National VOAD was established in 1975.

  7. National VOAD Today • 50 National Members

  8. State & Territory VOADs • VOADs in all 50 states and 5 territories

  9. Central Coast VOADs • Three VOADs on the Central Coast

  10. Santa Barbara County VOAD • In 2007 leaders from the American Red Cross, Unity Shoppe, Foodbank, and other nonprofits active in disaster joined together to inaugurate Santa Barbara County VOAD (SBC VOAD).

  11. Santa Barbara County VOAD • In 2008 the Aware & Prepare Initiative began funding SBC VOAD activities under Priority Theme Area # 7: Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

  12. Mission of Santa Barbara County VOAD • To promote improved outcomes for people affected by disasters • by fostering communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration • among nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and for-profit companies active in all phases of the disaster management cycle.

  13. Disaster Responses • SBC VOAD was activated in response to the Tea Fire, which began on November 13, 2008. • Members collaborated on: • Food preparation and delivery • Managing in-kind donations • Long term recovery • The Long Term Recovery Committee worked for 18 months and distributed $434,447 to county residents. Tea Fire

  14. Disaster Responses • SBC VOAD also responded to the Jesusita Fire, which began on May 5, 2009. • Activities included: • Sheltering and feeding close to 1,000 evacuees • Boarding hundreds of small and large animals • Evacuating residents from nursing care facilities • Sorting and distributing in-kind donations • Assisting residents with long term recovery Jesusita Fire

  15. Disaster Responses • SBC VOAD members assisted residents of Guadalupe affected by flooding of the Santa Maria River on December 19, 2010 with: • Shelter • Food • Temporary housing funds Tea Fire Guadalupe Flooding

  16. Current Membership • SBC VOAD membership now includes more than 40 organizations.

  17. VOAD Structure • SBC VOAD has been organized according to the Incident Command System (ICS)

  18. Achievements • Disaster Resource DirectorySearchable database of members’ disaster-related resources and services to enable the EOC to fill community needs more quickly and effectively

  19. Achievements • Coordinated Emergency Procedures For key operational areas, including • Feeding • In-kind donations • Volunteer management • Long-term recovery

  20. Achievements • Emergency Volunteer Centerfor managing spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers Request volunteers Agencies Receive volunteers

  21. Achievements • Shake-Out Santa Barbara County 2010 Earthquake Recovery Exercise —65 participants, 15 organizations

  22. Achievements • Ensuring Operational SurvivalBusiness Continuity Planning for Nonprofits—44 participants

  23. Achievements • VOAD EOC Liaison Training ProgramBuilding capacity to coordinate VOAD resources through the EOC

  24. Current Activities and Goals • Access and Functional Needs Steering GroupMission: to increase preparedness of people with access and functional needs who are living independently

  25. Current Activities and Goals • Public Information KiosksMission: to improve the dissemination of useful information about disaster services to the public throughout Santa Barbara County

  26. Current Activities and Goals • Incident-Specific Collaborative Fund Raising Mission: to provide a system for accepting donations and distributing funds . . . • For donors who want to support response and recovery efforts related to a specific disaster • That distributes 100% of the funds locally • And is administered through a transparent and collaborative decision-making process

  27. Current Activities and Goals • In-Kind Donations Management System Mission: to manage information and donated goods so that • The community’s specific needs are quickly ascertained • Potential donors are informed about what is needed • Goods are promptly sorted and distributed to individuals in need

  28. Current Activities and Goals • Emergency Response Planning for NonprofitsMission: to help VOAD members and other nonprofits to implement practical plans during a disaster to: • Protect staff and volunteers • Respond effectively to scaled-up client needs

  29. Current Activities and Goals • Multi-agency disaster case management systemMission: to improve tracking and reporting of services, goods, and financial assistance provided to clients during and after a disaster

  30. Current Activities and Goals • Shake, Rattle and Roll 2011 Earthquake Recovery ExerciseMission: to evaluate and improve communication and coordination among VOAD members and the EOC. • Emotional and Spiritual Care Steering GroupMission: to build skills among pastoral counselors, therapists, and disaster workers to improve emotional and spiritual health of people affected by disasters.

  31. VOAD Improving Outcomes for People Affected by Disasters

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