Community Organizations Active in Disaster

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COOPERATION - COMMUNICATION - COORDINATION - COLLABORATION

Mercer County established the first local Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) network in New Jersey in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. Mercer County's Community Organizations Active is Disaster is a network of public, private, faith-based, government, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses actively involved in disaster preparedness and response activities. Its goal is to provide a mechanism to encourage and support cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration (referred to as the “four Cs”) in the preparedness, relief, recovery, and rebuilding response to disasters in Mercer County. The Mercer County Division of Mental Health serves as the point of contact for the Mercer County Community Organizations Active is Disaster.

The Community Organizations Active is Disaster typically remains active in the community until all disaster-related needs are addressed, often up to 18 months or more. The Community Organizations Active is Disaster recognizes that no agency can “do it all” and that partnerships are essential to ensure resources are available and allocated as necessary in the affected communities. The Community Organizations Active is Disaster encourages all member partners to function in the spirit of the four Cs to identify gaps in service and to work cooperatively to address disaster-related needs.

To a large extent, the nature and impact of a disaster informs the response efforts. Likewise, the needs associated with each disaster may vary. The Mercer County Community Organizations Active in Disaster Executive Committee may create subcommittees based on the needs specifically associated with each disaster to address unique needs. These subcommittees remain active until all needs and issues related to that disaster have been resolved.

For more information on the Mercer County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, please view this brochure or contact Michele Madiou at 609-989-6529 or 609-468-7981.

If you would like to participate in the Mercer County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, please complete this form and return it to Michele Madiou at mmadiou@mercercounty.org.

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