About the Howard County COAD
The Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a collaborative effort of community stakeholders, each having an equal role in the organization. It’s goal is to organize and deploy community resources in an efficient and timely manner, effectively contributing to each phase of a disaster. The Howard County COAD hopes to provide opportunities for community organizations to get involved to make the community and its members safer and more prepared for threats of all kinds. The COAD is a coordinating organization and does not assume direct operational responsibility in any disaster situation.
What do we do?
The Howard County COAD was formed to improve the awareness of the needs of the community and connect those needs with organizations that can provide support. The goal of the Howard County COAD is to organize and deploy community resources in an efficient and timely manner during each phase of a disaster.
Who should join?
Howard County based:
- Non-profit organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Businesses
- Community organizations
- Educational institutes
Benefits of participating:
- Communication with County government on community needs that you can directly impact after a disaster
- Ability to improve service and reduce duplication of services during a disaster
- Information sharing
- Networking opportunities
- Training opportunities
COAD Work Groups:
- Disaster Preparedness & Response
- Education & Support
- Special Projects
- Food Group
COAD Leadership
- Chair – Jim Ehle, Rotary Club, Columbia Patuxent
- Vice Chair – Leila Mahlin, ReasDev, LLC
- Secretary – Debbie Rivera, Ellicott City Church
- Facilitator – Afnan Blankinship, Howard County Office of Emergency Management