The Erie County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) was established in 2023 through the efforts of Erie County and partners with the City of Buffalo, local non-profit organizations, transportation agencies and New York State. A priority and overarching goal for these partners: keeping people safe and healthy during emergencies and disaster situations, and during the recovery process. The Erie County COAD has strong connections to the Erie County Medical Reserve Corps, which has clinical and non-clinical volunteers focused on emergency preparation and response.
COAD meets regularly to share information and coordinate preparedness and education activities. During and after weather emergencies and disaster situations, COAD coordinates closely in real-time with the Erie County Emergency Operations Center.
If your organization would like to learn about being involved with the Erie County COAD, email carraugh.nowak@erie.gov.
A COAD is an organization, based within a community or geographic area, composed of representatives from public, private and not-for-profit agencies. A COAD enhances the community’s ability to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from disasters, ensuring that human needs in a disaster situation are evaluated and addressed.
Coordination of Care and Services
Drawing on the strengths of participating organizations, COAD identifies and addresses service gaps in the emergency management cycle, offers training opportunities for participants and the community, and supports emergency preparedness activities.
Communication
COAD participants are working to define and strengthen communications roles, channels and messages to support preparedness, response and recovery.
Community Resilience
Erie County efforts have been driven by a singular goal of improving community resilience to protect resident health and safety before, during and after disasters and emergencies.
Participants
Established in fall 2023, representatives from Erie County government, the City of Buffalo, health and human service agencies and the transportation sector, along with the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, meet twice a month.
Participant List (2024)
Erie County
Resources
Erie County Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Training information for Stop the Bleed, Basic First Aid, Hands-only CPR