The disaster impact on a community varies greatly as influenced by the type, size, and scope of the disaster, and the community’s level of preparedness. The IDHRC activates for notice (warning) and no-notice (no warning) events.
The IDHRC Chair, or designee determined by the Board of Directors, based on the information received, will determine activate the IDHRC if one or more of the following requests assistance:
- Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEMD)
- State Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL)
- County Emergency Manager
- Three or more of the IDHRC Board of Directors
- A partner organization of IDHRC or a LTRC/COAD asks for support
IDHRC Member Organizations are expected to make every effort to contact the IDHRC before deploying into a disaster-affected area in the State of Iowa and provide regular updates throughout their response and recovery efforts. Making this contact demonstrates commitment to the 4 “C’s†and allows the IDHRC to provide appropriate support through communication and the resources of other member organizations and/or emergency management.
Activities & Responsibilities During Response & Recovery
- Increase mutual awareness and understanding of member organizations’ contributions to, and public awareness of, disaster response and recovery through trainings and meetings
- Provide SEOC sitreps, when available
- Staff State EOC, as requested
- Provide updates on IDHRC, and partner organization, activities
- Capability to bring together partners within affected community and from outside the area to understand the needs and resource gaps
- Help establish and support LTRGs in affected communities
- Help identify unmet needs in affected communities
- Support local partners and participate in meetings throughout the affected area, as needed
- Creating opportunities for cooperation and information sharing between faith-based, non-governmental, and governmental organizations
- Gather and share situational awareness with other VOAD partners
- Convene coordination calls as long as necessary.
- Fostering a common understanding and coordinated efforts with public offices
- Volunteer and Donations Liaison assisting local jurisdictions with volunteer and donations management issues working directly with county public officials, county emergency management, LTRGs, and other community partners.
For more information on how you can assist our response efforts, click here.