SMCOAD: A Case Study, Part I
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Guest Blog by Mimi Mills
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three part series about Southern Maine Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SMCOAD). Part I focuses on the mission and history of SMCOAD. Part II focuses on the successes of SMCOAD, as well as lessons learned. Part III discusses how to get involved.
As a result of the major flooding in northern Maine this spring, many organizations have expressed interest in Southern Maine Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SMCOAD). They want to know how they can prepare, respond, join or start a COAD in their community. These folks are more and more convinced that, as a community, they do need to have a viable and trusted network to address issues and are looking to SMCOAD for answers. SMCOAD advocates that community wide preparedness and participation is essential to a community’s ability to recover from a disaster.
What is Southern Maine Community Organizations Active in Disaster?
SMCOAD is a collaborative of community organizations or individuals representing businesses, organizations, agencies, schools, municipalities, and clubs that recognize the importance of being organized and able to respond in the event of an emergency or disaster. SMCOAD is not a “first responder” entity but SMCOAD does work in partnership with County and local Emergency Management Agencies. SMCOAD is a collective group of community organizations and individuals working together to help minimize the effects of an emergency or disaster on their local community.
SMCOAD has four primary objectives:
• To establish relationships and create trusted networks.
• To promote workplace, family and volunteer preparedness.
• Map the SMCOAD network; manpower (volunteermaine.org), materials (who have what & where) and money/ resources.
• Support Volunteer Reception Center and Long Term Recovery Committees
A Brief History of SMCOAD:
The SMCOAD began shortly following the Mother’s Day Flood in York County in 2006. Immediately after the flood, emergency response systems were activated and people were removed from harm’s way. First responders worked together to serve those in need. As first response subsided and recovery and long term needs became the priority, it was immediately apparent there was not a solid system in place to support the essential needs of those affected by the floods. Pre-planning and networking would have helped recovery efforts run more smoothly with more defined roles and resources. Volunteer networks with their abundant human and administrative resources as well as corporate/community networks are well positioned to organize and respond effectively. The first meeting of SMCOAD was held as a forum, Volunteer Response During Disaster: Preparation, Practice & Action, and served as informational and a call to action. More than 66 people from 45 organizations and businesses attended.
Mimi Mills has been Director of Volunteer! York County at the United Way of York County since May 2006.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 am
I think this helps to add a valuable piece to our understanding of the unique rhythm of an emergency. The fact is that the work is not all done by someone from away, whether federal, state or local agencies. Mimi makes an excellent point that the long hard, invisible work is often done my local residents. It is so much more effective if it is coordinated and the relationships are understood in advance. Thanks for helping us understand this better!
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Thanks for this contribution Mimi. A disaster or emergency may be as small as the sprinkler system in your agency’s office going off, or as large as a major hurricane. As non-profit organizations, you are often called upon to supply assistance in times of recovery from an emergency. Knowing how your agency has planned for continuous operation and what assistance your agency can provide or your volunteers may provide is an important part of the long term recovery for the community. Has your agency thought about its response in time of emergency? What will your needs be? What can you offer? Get connected and see where your agency fits into the community recovery.