QC-COAD (Community Organizations Active In Disaster)

To bring together community organizations active in disaster allied to foster more effective service in the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities area through preparation mitigation and response for the benefit of people in times of disaster through: Cooperation (creating a climate for cooperation information and meeting together); Coordination (fostering common understanding providing a liaison with public offices); Communication (publishing and disseminating information); Education (increasing mutual awareness and understanding of organizations and public agencies active in disaster); Convening mechanisms (arranging meetings conferences and training as necessary); and Legislation (encouraging effective disaster relief legislation and policy). National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) was founded in response to the challenges many disaster organizations experienced following Hurricane Camille a (category 5) that hit the Gulf Coast in 1969. Before that governmental private sector and non-profit organizations served disaster survivors independent of one another and help was often haphazard. In recent years VOADs have evolved into COADs (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) to more broadly encompass available community support. QC COAD is one of thousands of affiliates of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and has participated in all major local disaster responses to flooding along the Mississippi and Rock Rivers. Member provided support and assistance has included: volunteer mobilization relocation of families emergency assistance and property damage assistance.

National VOAD an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters provides a forum promoting cooperation communication coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster. The National VOAD coalition includes over 50 of the country?s most reputable national organizations (faith-based community-based and other non-governmental organizations) and 55 State/Territory VOADs which represent Local/Regional VOADs and hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country. The Quad Cities Community Organization Active in Disasters (QC COAD) is a metropolitan extension of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and maintains relationships with the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council which functions as the Iowa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (IAVOAD) and the Illinois Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (ILVOAD).