The Disaster Response Playbook

Practical, step-by-step guides for coordinating disaster response. No theory—just what works, from people who've done it.

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Standing Up an LTR

Your community just got hit by a disaster. FEMA's coming and going. The immediate response is winding down, but people still need help. Here's how to stand up a Long Term Recovery organization.

  • What an LTR actually does
  • Who needs to be at the table
  • First 30 days timeline
  • Common mistakes to avoid
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Working with Your State VOAD

State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) are your lifeline. They've done this before, they have resources, and they want to help. Here's how to work with them effectively.

  • What VOADs do and don't do
  • How to request support
  • National VOAD resources
  • Building lasting relationships
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Volunteer Coordination

You've got 200 people who want to help and a community in crisis. How do you turn good intentions into effective action? The logistics of disaster volunteering.

  • Intake and vetting
  • Skill matching
  • Scheduling at scale
  • Managing spontaneous volunteers
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Case Management Basics

Individual Assistance (IA) case management is the heart of LTR work. Each case is a family that needs help navigating from disaster to recovery.

  • What case managers do
  • Intake and assessment
  • Resource coordination
  • Working with FEMA IA
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CRITICAL

When the Cameras Come: Donations in 24 Hours

The first 72 hours after disaster is when 80% of donations arrive. If you're not ready to accept money, you'll lose it forever. Here's how to set up donation infrastructure fast.

  • Fiscal sponsorship vs new 501(c)(3)
  • Payment processor setup
  • Messaging that converts
  • Transparency requirements
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Who Does What: Partner Roles

Red Cross, Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, Team Rubicon—who does what and when? Understanding the disaster response ecosystem prevents duplication and gaps.

  • National partner organizations
  • What each organization provides
  • VOAD coordination
  • Working with local partners
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What Is a MARC?

Multi-Agency Resource Centers bring disaster assistance to survivors in one location. One gym, ten agencies, hundreds of survivors helped in a single day. Here's how to organize one.

  • What MARCs do
  • Who participates
  • Planning checklist
  • Running the event
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See It in Action: Claremore, OK

In May 2024, an EF3 tornado devastated parts of Claremore, Oklahoma. What happened next is a case study in effective disaster response.

Working with Mayor Debbie Long and local churches, we helped stand up the Claremore Regional Community Disaster Alliance (CRCDA). Over the following months:

  • 680 families received assistance
  • 2,400+ volunteer shifts coordinated
  • $2.1M in volunteer value delivered
  • Custom IA software built and deployed
Read the Full Case Study →
[Photo: Claremore tornado response operations]

More Guides Coming

We're actively writing guides on working with FEMA, insurance navigation, unmet needs tables, and more. Want to contribute your experience?

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