Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs) are community-based disaster coalitions that coordinate the efforts of non-profit agencies, faith-based communities, community action groups, and others who may provide assistance during disaster events.  Following the National VOAD movement’s 4Cs of Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration, county and local COADs work together to prepare for and respond to disasters and other emergency events.

In New York State, county and regional COADs are chartered by the New York State VOAD and coordinated in partnership with county emergency management, DHSES Disaster Recovery/Individual Assistance, and State and FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs). Voluntary Agency Liaisons at both the state and federal level build relationships among government, voluntary, faith- and community-based, private sector, philanthropic, and whole community partners who help communities manage disasters.

Find a COAD or VOAD in your community.


Collaborative Coalition Conferences

Collaborative Coalition Conferences

The Collaborative Coalition Conference is hosted by DHSES Disaster Recovery/Individual Assistance. After a brief hiatus, the conference resumed in October 2025. Conferences provide information and networking resources for COADs, emergency managers, and other local, state, and federal partners involved in disaster response and recovery.

The 2025 Collaborative Coalition Conference featured a variety of speakers with presentations from the Small Business Administration (SBA), local COAD representatives, New York State Recovery/Individual Assistance, and county emergency management. Topics included COAD formation, COAD sub-committees, federal partner updates, New York VOAD updates, disaster case management, and the Disaster Self Reporting Tool (DSRT) used by the state to capture self-reported damages.

Presentation highlighting national level services that provide support during disaster.

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Presentation highlighting national-level services that provide support during disaster.

Videos


2-1-1

Other assistance may be available in your community. Search the 2-1-1 data bases of services or call 2-1-1.


NYC 3-1-1

3-1-1's mission is to provide the public with quick, easy access to all New York City government services and information while maintaining the highest possible level of customer service.

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