First 72 Hours

Call Your State VOAD

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. They've done this dozens of times. They will help you coordinate everything that comes next.

"Hi, we just had [tornado/flood/etc] in [city]. We need help coordinating response. Can you send someone or get us connected?"

Find a Fiscal Sponsor for Donations

Money is about to pour in. You need somewhere for it to go—today. You don't have time to set up a nonprofit. Look for an existing 501(c)(3) that can receive funds on your behalf.

"We just had a disaster in [city]. We need somewhere to receive donations today. Can you act as fiscal sponsor for a disaster relief fund?"

Why this matters: A 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor means donations are tax-deductible immediately. You don't have to file paperwork, open bank accounts, or figure out compliance.

Identify a Coordination Point

Where will people meet? Where will volunteers check in? Where will survivors go for help?

This doesn't have to be permanent. You just need a place to point people for the next 48 hours.

Start Tracking Survivors

You need to know who was affected and how to reach them. This is how you'll communicate about resources—food distribution, ice for insulin, power stations, cleanup help.

What to collect: Name, address, phone, email, type of damage, immediate needs, insurance status.

Why QR codes work: Post them at the coordination point, on stop signs in affected areas, at churches. Survivors scan with their phone, fill out the form. You now have a way to text them updates.

Get the Donation Link Out

Media is covering your disaster right now. People across the country want to help. If there's no donation link, that money disappears.

Simple message: "100% of donations go directly to [disaster] survivors through [fiscal sponsor name]. Donate at [link]."

Hold the First Meeting

Get the key players in a room. This is where coordination starts.

Agenda (keep it short):

1. What do we know? (damage extent, injuries, deaths)
2. What's the immediate need? (shelter, food, medical)
3. Who's doing what? (assign lanes)
4. When do we meet again? (daily for first week)

Manage Incoming Volunteers

People are going to show up wanting to help. Without a system, they'll wander around frustrated or get in the way.

Tell volunteers: "Thank you for coming. Sign in here. We'll text you when we have a specific job that matches your skills. In the meantime, [current task that needs bodies]."

Coordinate Immediate Needs

Survivors need things now, not in two weeks. Common immediate needs:

• Ice — for coolers, medications, insulin
• Tarps — damaged roofs leak, weather is coming
• Phone charging — power banks, charging stations
• Food — hot meals, shelf-stable items
• Water — bottled, especially if utilities are out
• Baby supplies — formula, diapers
• Pet supplies — people won't leave pets behind

Use your survivor list to communicate: "Free ice distribution at [location] from 2-6pm today."

Plan the MARC

A Multi-Agency Resource Center brings all the help to one place. Survivors visit once, talk to FEMA, Red Cross, insurance, social services, and nonprofits.

Full MARC planning guide →

Start Thinking About Long-Term Recovery

The emergency phase lasts days. Recovery lasts months or years. You'll need a Long-Term Recovery (LTR) organization.

LTR formation guide →