Committees

The IDHRC coordinates the following committees

These committees are not tied to a particular disaster, but instead focus on their subject matter throughout the year to create guidance documents, best practices, and other resources for the IDHRC membership and the general public. You can find some of those resources here.

The IDHRC has formed the CERT Program Support Committee to explore ways to assist local communities with the establishment, maintenance, and training needed for local CERT programs. The Committee focuses on providing technical support and guidance to local CERT programs, including but not limited to programs formed within public safety, industry, and schools.

More information about CERT can be found here.

The purpose of this committee is to educate partner agencies and the general public on the IDHRC mission and services. The committee will develop and execute marketing and public relations strategies to promote the organization, its services, accomplishments and activities. The committee will collaborate with the Board of Directors and the IDHRC committee chairs to ensure all marketing and public relations activities are supportive of the overall mission of the IDHRC.

This committee provides assistance to communities, counties and regions in the formation of COAD, VOAD or LTR organizations, and helps such organizations to remain viable during periods between disasters.

The purpose of this committee is to promote disaster preparedness in Iowa’s faith community, and to collaborate with IDHRC partners, Iowa churches, and faith leaders to provide disaster spiritual and emotional care training that is compliant with national Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster guidelines.

This committee provides an annual review/audit of the accounts of the IDHRC as maintained by the Treasurer; in coordination with the Executive Committee and other committee chairs, establishes an annual budget; works with the Unmet Needs Committee to establish fiscal policy associated with responding to unmet needs.

This committee focuses on ensuring accessibility for all Iowans when planning, preparing and responding to disaster. The committee provides technical assistance and support in establishing accessible disaster shelters that meet ADA, American’s with Disabilities Act standards. The committee has created templates available for planners and county emergency managers to use. Site visits are also available.

This committee receives referrals of disaster affected individuals with extreme conditions and seeks to assist those individuals when all other avenues have been exhausted.

This committee works with state agencies, nonprofit groups, and faith based organizations to help organize and streamline the volunteer and donation process during a disaster. Since all disasters start and end locally, the committee works with local governments and organizations to help train and establish procedures for volunteer reception centers and receiving donations in case of a disaster.