Active Community Team ServicesAdventist Community Service

American Red CrossAssociated Industries of Florida

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of FloridaCatholic Charities of Florida

Christian Contractors AssociationChristian Disaster Response

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsChurch of Scientology Disaster Relief Team

Church World ServiceCompassion Alliance

Convoy of HopeCorporation for National and Community Service

Eagles Wings FoundationFlorida Alliance of Information and Referral Services

Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist ChurchFlorida Association of Food Banks

Florida Association of Volunteer CentersFlorida Baptist Disaster Relief

Florida Conference United Church of ChristFlorida Crisis Response Team

Florida Department of Elder AffairsFlorida Goodwill Association

Florida Fraternal Order of PoliceFlorida Immediate Response Stress TeamFlorida Interfaith Networking in Disaster

Florida JayceesFlorida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network

Florida State Conference of the NAACPFlorida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

Florida’s Episcopal DiocesesKnights Hospitallers (OSJ)Lutheran Services FloridaNational Disaster Relief

National Voluntary Organizations Active in DisasterNight Runners Mobile Crisis Services

Operation Blessing InternationalSamaritan's PurseThe Salvation Army

Thrivent Financial for LutheransUnited Way of Florida

Volunteer Florida Foundation

Florida established its Comprehensive EmergencyManagement Plan in 1993 to include a system ofEmergency Support Functions (ESFs) to oversee thestate’s response to disasters. Each of the 18 ESFs inFlorida is headed by a lead agency that unitessupporting agencies with similarfunctions in effective disasteroperations.

The Governor’s Commission onVolunteerism and CommunityService, Volunteer Florida, isthe lead agency for ESF 15,Volunteers and Donations. Inpursuit of its mission,Volunteer Florida maintains astrong network ofpartnerships to ensure theneeds of disaster survivors aremet through donations andvolunteer service.

As lead agency, Volunteer Florida:

• Matches disaster needs identified by federal, state,and local agencies with resources offered by faith

and community-based organizations.• Operates the Florida Volunteer and

Donations Hotline and Web site intimes of disaster.• Routes disaster donations tolocal agencies.• Trains Florida AmeriCorpsmembers to supportdisaster-impactedcommunities.• Coordinates disastervolunteer placement withlocal volunteer organizers.• Develops networking and

training exercises to enhancevoluntary agencies’ response

capabilities.

Emergency Management & Volunteer Florida

Emergency Support Function 15

Governor Charlie Crist©2009, Volunteer Florida

This document is available in large print, Braille and electronic formats. Please contact Volunteer Florida at 850-921-5172 with your request.

ESF 15

SUPPORT AG

ENCIES

volunteerflorida.org

HELPING FLORIDIANS RECOVER IN TIMES OF DISASTER THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM AND DONATIONS

Emergency Support Function 15

Train to respondVolunteers can:• Educate the public ondisaster response andrecovery needs.

• Prepare and servemeals to survivors andrelief workers.

• Connect survivors withrelief agencies.

• Provide child care fordisaster survivors.

• Manage Volunteer Reception Centers. • Organize debris removal or clean-up assistance tothe elderly and disabled.

• And much more!

Think before actingAn influx of unexpectedor unneeded volunteersand donations creates anadditional burden forcommunities alreadystruggling to respond toand recover from adisaster. Before traveling toa disaster area: • Learn where and when your skills will be needed.• Discuss with volunteer organizers how your needsfor food, water and shelter will be met while youare volunteering.

When Making Donations . . .

Financial gifts make the greatest impactRelief agencies use monetary donations to meetsurvivors’ specific needs, while avoiding theburdensome expense of sorting, packing andtransporting goods. These organizations purchasesupplies in impacted communities, helping toregenerate the local economy.

Confirm the need before collecting itemsSome relief agencies that have the ability to store anddistribute donated goods may request specific items.Get precise information and coordinate with reliefagencies to ensure that only needed items arecollected. Follow their specific instructions forpackaging and transportingyour donations. Be wary ofclaims that “everything isneeded.” The gridlockcaused by unneededdonated items preventsthe flow of more crucialsupplies from reachingimpacted communities.

The Florida Donations Portal

Volunteer Florida administers the Florida DonationsPortal, which ... • Allows donors tooffer large-quantitydonations onlineand specify theirintended use.

• Allows reliefagencies to postspecific needs andaccept or decline theoffers.

• Prevents unneeded donations from choking theresponse effort.

• Connects donors wanting to give cash with all stateESF 15 Support Agencies.

volunteerflorida.org

CARE - The Best Way to Help