DISASTER RESPONSE & RECOVERY
It is in times of need that we discover the full impact of a community united.
When communities face disaster, United Way plays a key role. From operating a disaster volunteer reception center, and collecting monetary donations for local relief efforts, to local organization coordination United Way has the experience, networks and capacity to address even the most devastating events.
Disaster Volunteer Reception Center (VRC)
Heart of Indiana United Way in cooperation with local county emergency management will be the liaison in connecting volunteers to individuals needing disaster recovery assistance in Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Madison, or Randolph counties.
The VRC is set up and staffed to intake and match volunteer skills with unmet needs in the community in the event of a disaster.
Examples of opportunities:
- A request from the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be for volunteers to help victims of a disaster in need of tarps and installation on damaged roofs
- A local church may need volunteers to help in their mass-feeding kitchens following a disaster
- A local social service agency may need volunteers to case-manage victims of a hurricane and direct them to temporary assistance
- An elderly person may need volunteers to help clear debris from their yard or flood-soaked carpet removed from their home
- Home-bound victims may need water or food delivered by volunteers
- And many, many more opportunities.
Volunteer Reception Center positions include registration and volunteer intake and interviewing, data collection and entry, safety training, phone bank, runners, greeters, etc.
The VRC serves to coordinate spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteers to help support the relief effort of ESF#15 (volunteers and donations) under the direction of local emergency management. Spontaneous volunteers will be assigned duties as needed by the VRC volunteer staff. A spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteer or SUV is a person that has not received current, formal disaster response training from a state organization or agency active in disaster.
There is a role for anyone who would like to become certified and assist at the Volunteer Reception Center in times of emergency. Volunteers must be 18 years or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian. No special skills are necessary.
For more information about volunteer reception centers, contact Kim at 765-608-3067.
Madison County VRC Training, September 14, 6-8 pm, Millcreek Civic Center, Chesterfield
Other County Training Dates – Coming Soon
Donations Management
Rebuilding communities is costly and takes years, and we’re in it for the long haul. When the first responders leave, United Way will still be there investing in sustainable development. It’s what we do. It’s who we are.
Heart of Indiana United Way has the local connections and capacity to quickly and efficiently distribute your donations to organizations and recovery groups working in our communities. Your gifts help your neighbors in need.
Madison County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
Led by Heart of Indiana United Way, the Madison County COAD is a collaborative network of organizations, agencies, individuals, businesses, and others in Madison County representing public, private, and not-for-profit agencies, which work towards the mission of helping to minimize the effects of a disaster.
COAD enhances the community’s ability to mitigate, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, thus ensuring that human needs are met to provide a safe, sanitary, and secure community.
What is the Mission of the COAD?
The mission of the COAD is to strengthen area-wide disaster coordination by promoting advocacy and planning to reduce the impact of disasters; including facilitating communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation.
Madison County COAD Members:
Aletheia Fellowship & Ministry Center · Anderson Community Schools · Anderson Police Chaplains · Anderson Public Library ·
Ascension St. Vincent · Chesterfield Millcreek Civic Center · City of Alexandria · Heart of Indiana United Way ·
Indiana HonorBound Disaster Network · Indiana Animal Board of Health ·Madison County Health Department ·
Madison County Emergency Management ·Main Street Church of God · Markleville Fire Department · Meridian Health Services Second Harvest Food Bank · South Madison Community Foundation · The Salvation Army—Anderson Citadel ·
The Christian Center
Madison County COAD is a member of the Indiana State VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).