Before a flood

Getting organized before a disaster

Connect volunteers to your Local Emergency Management Director or EMD

1. Gather a group of people together
   1. Choose a structure that works for the group
      1. Decide on roles that will work for the group you have. Figure out what everyone can reliably offer: volunteer coordination, shelter support, animal care, child care, meals, etc. To figure out what you can do, use this tool . As you organize, make sure to include folks with specific needs.
      2. Some roles to consider:
         • Lead organizer
         • Volunteer Coordinator
         • Data coordinator
         • Response/tool coordinator
         • Outreach coordinator
2. Schedule a meeting with your EMD. You can find your EMD here or by calling your town clerk.
3. Ask your EMD how they would like to be contacted on Day 1 of emergency and/or who else they'd like you to contact. Add their contact to this spreadsheet and share.
   • 1.9: Directory of Local Leaders ( open the live spreadsheet )
   • If you're finding the need to have a regional list, rather than a local list, and to coordinate across municipalities, add their contacts to the 1.9: Directory of Local Leaders, and add NEKO's regional spreadsheet as a template.

Alternative workflow

1. Schedule a meeting with your EMD. You can find your EMD here or by calling your town clerk.
2. Meet with your EMD
   1. Tell them you are committed to supporting disaster efforts and ask what types of help they need. If you commit to performing a task, be sure you can reliably follow through.
   2. Ask if there are existing Zone Captains in your community or neighborhood. If so, get their contact information and reach out.
3. Community Organizing
   • Bring this list to your friends and neighbors and organize people to fulfill tasks. Assess strengths/skills from who and what is available. Collect people's contact info in the 1.9: Directory of Local Leaders.
4. Report back to your EMD what you can reliably offer.
5. Ask your EMD how they would like to be contacted on Day 1 of emergency and/or who else they'd like you to contact. Add their contact to the 1.9: Directory of Local Leaders.