National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)

[Capt Rivera]

Anyone know anything about the below organization? I see some very notable national members: (Red Cross, Lutheran Social Services, United Way, etc) Where is CAP?  Are we just unaware of this or is there a draw back I didn't notice as I was skimming?

http://www.nvoad.org

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) is the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle—preparation, response and recovery—to help disaster survivors and their communities.

Members of National VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. Together we foster more effective service through the four C's—communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration—by providing convening mechanisms and outreach for all people and organizations involved in disasters.

[CadetProgramGuy]

CAP definitely qualifies.  Send this up the chain of command to national.

[RRLE]

The following info is taken from the FEMA Course IS288 The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management

From chapter 2:

Hurricane Camille led to the formation of NVOAD. After Hurricane Camille, it became clear that voluntary agencies were responding to the needs of disaster victims in a fragmented, uncoordinated manner. Representatives from several voluntary agencies began to meet on a regular basis to share their respective activities, concerns, and frustrations in disaster response. On July 15, 1970, representatives from seven voluntary agencies came together in Washington, D.C. to form NVOAD.

There is a large section in chapter 4 on NVOAD. This extract might interest you the most.

NVOAD's Relationship with FEMA

When NVOAD first organized in 1970, national disaster programs were spread among several Federal agencies. In the late 1970's, FEMA was established to consolidate these different agencies.

In October 1979, John Macy, Jr., Director of FEMA, met with the NVOAD membership. In response to this meeting, NVOAD appointed a committee to work closely with Mr. Macy on an ongoing basis.

The relationship has grown to the point that FEMA currently participates actively in NVOAD Board meetings, NVOAD committee meetings, the NVOAD Annual Meeting, and the Annual VOAD Leadership Conference. The VOAD Leadership Conference, in particular, provides FEMA an extraordinary opportunity to meet with and develop a strong rapport with local and State-level VOADs throughout the country. It is important to have a steady planning process at the local level that integrates the roles of the voluntary agencies and community-based organizations with the role of government. An effective disaster response and recovery clearly depends on a strong investment in preparedness and mitigation.

FEMA believes it is extremely important to develop strong working relationships between government emergency management at all levels and the voluntary agencies at all levels. At the national level, NVOAD offers a unique forum for communication between the many active voluntary agencies on a wide number of issues. At the regional level, FEMA participates in State VOAD activities and encourages close working relationships.

While FEMA continues to maintain its Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) with individual voluntary agencies and works closely with NVOAD member organizations individually, FEMA and NVOAD developed a formal MOU in 1997. This FEMA-NVOAD MOU provides a framework within which FEMA and NVOAD will cooperate in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

By signing this document, FEMA agreed to:

• Contribute to the public awareness of NVOAD by:
• Encouraging State emergency management agencies to act collaboratively with their VOAD counterparts;
• Encouraging non-member VOADs to seek affiliation with NVOAD and State and sub-state VOADs; and
• Inviting a NVOAD representative to participate in the Joint Information Center on relief operations, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the training of NVOAD and VOAD members by sharing information concerning existing FEMA and State courses and cooperating in the development of new courses;
• Assist NVOAD in helping its members contribute to disaster mitigation by identifying training and financial resources that may be available to voluntary agencies; and
• Assist NVOAD in the development of a partnership between its members and the business community.

In this Memorandum of Understanding, NVOAD agreed to:

• Lead and encourage the mitigation of natural hazard risks through outreach, education, and local community involvement both before and after disasters occur;
• Encourage linkages between governments, the business community, and State and sub-state VOADs, which enhance preparedness for coordinated future relief efforts;
• Assist FEMA when a major disaster or emergency is declared by convening a meeting of the voluntary sector to coordinate an effective response and recovery;
• Encourage its members to regularly share information about field disaster response and recovery activities with FEMA regional offices prior to and following disaster declarations by the Federal government; and
• Disseminate FEMA emergency management information through its membership.

The 7 Founders of NVOAD:

• The American Red Cross;
• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee;
• Mennonite Disaster Service;
• National Catholic Disaster Relief Committee;
• Seventh Day Adventists;
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul; and
• Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

There are state and local VOADs also.

[RiverAux]

Our state is moderately active in the local organization.  It is basically a way to get all the various groups talking to each other. 

Where is CAP?  Well, at the national level I'm not sure we really deserve to be all that active.  We don't have any sort of disaster relief program.  Our damage assessment and photography missions are really more to provide support to government agencies rather than directly helping people.  Yes, every now and again our folks do actual disaster relief, but it is usually by having our people help another organization like the Red Cross. 

[heliodoc]

RRLE and River are right

1) Where was the CAP leadership in 1970, when the VOAD's / FEMA were drawing this up??

2) IF CAP wants the DR mission, then it may require some new skill sets or the ability to work with others who do this more often

3) Notice more formal MOU's

4) It all up to National and how they need to address the training standards...  ICS or CAP standards???

5) DR operations are different than SAR and some times they cross with same skills

NVOAD had their stuff together back in the day. WE (CAP) need to play catch up.  We have played well in our own playgrounds, now it's time to play in others playgrounds if to be more viable.  Folks can defend the organization, I as well do, BUT we need to do alot more and will task the organization more.  It's like chirping about how much time one spends on ICS training standards, how much more time have you got.

If CAP wants more ACTION in the DR world, then they will have to prioritize operations, and then it will have to worry more about task saturation(s).  Can the average volunteer go more than two weeks during heavy disaster relief missions, are local CAP commander convincing enough to the community and the membership to put in more time or will the general membership be able to give more time.

Notice its the church groups and ARC that are the drivers with FEMA. They are your typical members of the community, just like CAP.  Was CAP afraid or did it lack the general knowledge of getting a seat with the NVOAD's.  Could have been CAP politics, AF directives, who knows.  Now its time to play catchup.........

[RiverAux]

Actually, I think that a lot of niches are filled in the DR community and I'm not really sure where CAP can fit in, which is probably why we don't have any sort of disaster relief doctrine that extends beyond traditional air missions. 

[DG]

There can be delicate and sensitive issues here.

National was (unfairly) criticized for the good work they did during the Katrina DR.

In that context of such a huge need and call for action for DR, National waited and watched carefully for the local DR effort to take shape.  When it did not, and after many days, National worked closely and carefully and professionally with the 1st Air Force and 1st Army to provide some much needed tactical help.  A DR command center was put together at Maxwell by National and also one at Tyndall by the 1st Air Force.

In the same way, it was after the 82nd Airborne moved in and put together a TOC at Louis Armstong International and put boots on the ground in the city and the military further deployed at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg and at Navy New Orleans that any really organized and effective DR and public safety / protective services began to move forward and began to be reestablished.

The criticisms came from local IC's who felt they were in command, even though there was inadequate or no communication or activity or plan of action or coordination.

[RADIOMAN015]

I think where we "fit in" regarding the DR mission has been determined.  It's primarily Aero Recon and the supporting mission base roles (comm, ops, flight line, etc) that support this.   CAP can do this well throughout the US.  When you start getting into ground type missions, the availability of resources will vary greatly, and quite frankly may not be available in some areas.  It is not CAP's mission to emergency house, feed, or counsel victims.  That's why you've got those other agencies that are members of the VOAD.  Let's not get into a "mission creep"  scenario where we are running after any potential mission -- won't work and will hurt us overall in the end.  (BTW look at the financial challenges the America Red Cross is currently facing due to supporting all these natural disasters)

RADIOMAN   

Actually, I think that a lot of niches are filled in the DR community and I'm not really sure where CAP can fit in, which is probably why we don't have any sort of disaster relief doctrine that extends beyond traditional air missions. 

[DNall]

I think where we "fit in" regarding the DR mission has been determined.  It's primarily Aero Recon and the supporting mission base roles (comm, ops, flight line, etc) that support this.   CAP can do this well throughout the US.  When you start getting into ground type missions, the availability of resources will vary greatly, and quite frankly may not be available in some areas.  It is not CAP's mission to emergency house, feed, or counsel victims.  That's why you've got those other agencies that are members of the VOAD.  Let's not get into a "mission creep"  scenario where we are running after any potential mission -- won't work and will hurt us overall in the end.  (BTW look at the financial challenges the America Red Cross is currently facing due to supporting all these natural disasters)

Actually, I think that a lot of niches are filled in the DR community and I'm not really sure where CAP can fit in, which is probably why we don't have any sort of disaster relief doctrine that extends beyond traditional air missions. 

Regarding that... I would agree in respect to shouldn't creep too much into relief efforts. That is house/feed/rebuild, etc. The Red Cross/salvation army/etc have that all well under control.

However, I would not agree that there is no ground mission. I would refer you first of all to the FLWG Recon program, which is first-in ground disaster assessment. I would argue further that this should be done as part of a combined arms task force (air & ground tied together with fwd deployed mobile command & control trailer/vehicle co-located with primary joint operations ctrs/FOBs).

I would also like to lift any restriction on urban SaR. I have no problem with an age restriction & some selectivity on what missions should be taken at least w/o LE or National Guard security escort, and I don't favor collapsed structure work for CAP, but other then that, there is no reason our people should not be right in the middle of events next to the diverse crowd of professional responders (some paid & some not) that are really making THE difference, not just being minor role players on the sideline.

The issue with having those more significant roles is not about being volunteers, or even legal issues. It's training to high industry standards. That doesn't cost a truck load of money & doesn't take any more time then we're currently putting in. It takes refocus & specialization, which is what most people want anyway. We can still do our diverse mission set, but we don't need to take everyone's time up with admin when that can be consolidated and managed away from our operators.

[brasda91]

If you're not talking with, or have a relationship with your local Red Cross chapter, you may be missing out on opportunities.  What can we do to help the RC?

• With a few RC classes you could assist in shelter operations
• Assist in sandbagging operations
• Provide transportation for RC officials
• others as determined by your local agreement

I have several members, both cadet and senior, that have taken the sheltering classes.  Several years ago, we assisted in sandbagging.  My Chaplain is even on deployment as a RC volunteer right now.  There are plenty of DR missions available.  You just have to be willing to put in the time to develop the relationship with your local chapter.

[Eclipse]

This looks to be primarily faith-based relief organizations, and those generally work better as part of larger networks, because without them they tend to become islands.

CAP already has itself and its state MOUs, etc., as our "network".

Certainly we with could with and next to these agencies, this isn't something we need to be a member of.

These days there's plenty of poop to go around for everyone...

[Capt Rivera]

If you're not talking with, or have a relationship with your local Red Cross chapter, you may be missing out on opportunities.  What can we do to help the RC?

• With a few RC classes you could assist in shelter operations
• Assist in sandbagging operations
• Provide transportation for RC officials
• others as determined by your local agreement

I have several members, both cadet and senior, that have taken the sheltering classes.  Several years ago, we assisted in sandbagging.  My Chaplain is even on deployment as a RC volunteer right now.  There are plenty of DR missions available.  You just have to be willing to put in the time to develop the relationship with your local chapter.

Do you have a written MOA we can see? or is it just a verbal relationship?

[RiverAux]

I would also like to lift any restriction on urban SaR. I have no problem with an age restriction & some selectivity on what missions should be taken at least w/o LE or National Guard security escort, and I don't favor collapsed structure work for CAP,

"Urban SAR" in todays world basically means SAR within collapsed buildings rather than more general SAR in urban areas such as looking for lost Alzheimers patients.  CAP needs to define what they mean by "urban SAR" in 60-3 to clarify that prohibition. 

[sardak]

^^^Here is from the forever-in-draft FEMA SAR Credentialing document regarding "urban SAR":

For the purposes of NIMS SAR Credentialing, SAR has been divided into categories according to the most recent National SAR Plan, National SAR Manual, NSARC documents, and the National Response Plan. Those categories are Land, Urban, Maritime and Aeronautical.

Urban vs. urban. One area of clarification for NIMS SAR Credentialing is that the use of the word "Urban" with a capital "U" refers to Urban SAR as defined in the National SAR Plan and Manual (structural collapse, et al). The word "urban" with a small "u" refers to the environmental setting such as the urban city as described below.

Land SAR has been described further:
1. urban/suburban area,
a. "Supported", which requires less training, skill, experience and equipment than wilderness, remote or disaster settings because they have accessible "civilized" services to sustain life, including food and potable water and other such services.
b. "Unsupported", which lacks "supported" services as listed in "a" above and which can require additional training, skill, experience and equipment.
2. Wilderness/remote area, including disaster settings in cities, which requires specialized training, skills and equipment in order to operate and survive because they are "unsupported" or have little to no civilized services.

Mike

[brasda91]

If you're not talking with, or have a relationship with your local Red Cross chapter, you may be missing out on opportunities.  What can we do to help the RC?

• With a few RC classes you could assist in shelter operations
• Assist in sandbagging operations
• Provide transportation for RC officials
• others as determined by your local agreement

I have several members, both cadet and senior, that have taken the sheltering classes.  Several years ago, we assisted in sandbagging.  My Chaplain is even on deployment as a RC volunteer right now.  There are plenty of DR missions available.  You just have to be willing to put in the time to develop the relationship with your local chapter.

Do you have a written MOA we can see? or is it just a verbal relationship?

Just verbal right now.  I have sat down with the chapter director and given her the steps in which to contact us for assistance.  Like I said, I have several members that have attended the sheltering classes.  They even attended a drill the RC put on.  We had multiple comments on how well our members performed.  I'm also renewing my instructor certifications with them.  I feel that these types of positive contributions to the RC is what helps the RC look favorably on us.