MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has announced the launch of the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), an initiative designed to enhance disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts throughout Monterey County.
The CFMC’s COAD brings together a diverse network of nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, government agencies and community partners with a shared commitment to ensuring a coordinated and effective response when disaster strikes. By fostering communication, collaboration and resource-sharing among these groups, the COAD aims to build a more resilient and prepared Monterey County.
“Disasters don’t wait, and neither should we,” said Dan Baldwin, president/CEO of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. “The COAD model ensures that our community-based organizations are ready and working together before, during, and after emergencies to support those most in need.”
The COAD will serve as a central hub for: coordinating emergency response efforts among local service organizations; streamlining communication between the public, private and nonprofit sectors; promoting equitable resource distribution during times of crisis; and training and preparedness activities for member organizations and the broader community.
The Monterey County COAD, in partnership with Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula (CERV), will be holding an in-person training session for county nonprofits on the Monterey County Disaster Resilience and Recovery Hub, a resource request portal designed for use in active disasters. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, June 25, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the CFMC’s Monterey Office. To register or learn more, visit cfmco.org/COAD.
The launch of COAD reflects the CFMC’s ongoing commitment to supporting the health, safety and well-being of all Monterey County residents. This initiative builds on lessons learned from recent wildfires, floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, which underscored the vital role local organizations play in crisis response.
COAD Manager Nick Zafiratos led an introductory session on March 26 for more than 70 participants, representing over 50 local organizations, sharing the program’s long-term goals, benefits of joining and upcoming training and educational opportunities.
COAD member organizations benefit from direct communication with the County of Monterey Emergency Operations Center, established relations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its national response partners and training and preparedness opportunities tailored specifically for Monterey County’s nonprofit and community-based organizations.
The COAD will be available year-round to prepare for disasters and offer support long after state and federal services may end. It will also offer quarterly gatherings, including valuable training sessions and readiness opportunities to strengthen local resilience.
Organizations and grassroots groups who would like to be part of the Monterey County COAD can contact Zafiratos at 831-375-9712 ext.134 or email co**@***co.org.
