Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition

Background

The formation of the Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition began in 1989 with informal staff discussions between the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. The original intent was to coordinate emergency response services and to recruit other agencies to participate in an integrated plan. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989, the Marin Community Foundation convened a meeting of agencies to discuss countywide planning and organization. Goals were established and the Inter-Agency Disaster Response Plan was created. The original key service agencies were recruited. This group met on an informal basis until 1995. The Vision Fire in Inverness demonstrated the value of an inter-agency operational plan. As a result, this group became committed to institutionalizing disaster services within their respective agencies and to strengthen their collaborative efforts.

Mission Statement

The Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition seeks to expand and improve the disaster resources of private sector human services organizations.

Objectives

  •   Minimize the duplication of disaster services.

  •   Identify and advocate for the closure of gaps in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and recovery.

  •   Recruit other agencies and organizations to make a commitment to collaborate in providing disaster services.

  •   Assist agencies in orderly emergency preparedness planning. This is imperative for agencies to effectively survive the impact of a major disaster and be able to maintain service to clients, expand services and/or client base, and be a resource to the immediate community.

  •   Coordinate the flow of information and requests for resources/services between the private sector agencies and the County emergency management operations.

  •   Participate with public and private agencies in promoting and providing community information and education.


    • Service Area

    The Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition serves all of Marin County, population 240,000. Most of the population is in the eastern part of the county, along Highway 101, south to north, and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, east to west in the central part of the county. There are five major roadways that connect Marin County to other areas. Highway 101 south and north, Highway 37 northeast, Highway 580 east, and Highway 1 north. Four of these have bridges at the entrance to the county. There are eight small rural roads that connect Marin and Sonoma Counties.

    Marin County is a triple risk area - susceptible to damage from winter storms, destruction from urban and wildland fires, and devastation from earthquakes. Any of these events could require more than public agencies have the capability to deliver. An earthquake in combination with storms or fires could be catastrophic.

    It is expected that a major earthquake on the Hayward fault could leave Marin County cut-off from surface access and movement within the county could be severely limited. Projections indicate up to 58 locations where roads could be impassable. In addition, outside resources would be focused on the more populated and more severely impacted east bay communities.

    Services Provided

    The Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition (MIDC) is recognized as the vehicle in Marin County to coordinate private sector resources serving human and animal needs following a disaster. The very nature of its collaborative make-up allows for the connection of other human services related private agency or organization in Marin County. Local private non-profit agencies and organizations are a tremendous asset in a disaster. Those serving specific populations know their clients' needs. Other agencies serve the broad public on an as needed basis. However, many of these agencies need help to become prepared to operationally survive a disaster and to deliver services in a disrupted environment.

    MIDC has resources available to agencies to guide and assist them in their preparedness efforts. MIDC developed two games, Disaster Planner and Disaster Master to help develop and test emergency plans. MIDC also created a comprehnsive fill-in-the-blanks guide for non-profit agencies to develop their emergency preparedness plan. Through a representative on the Operational Area Disaster Council and a position in the County Emergency Operation Center, MIDC can increase the effectiveness of agencies by integrating them into the disaster services network and linking them to the county operational system.

    Contact Information

    MIDC is organized in functional groups. Each member agency has a lead responsibility for a functional area of services. They are committed to assuring an effective response, given the specific conditions in a disaster. This is done with their own resources as well as coordinating the efforts of other agencies.

    ANIMAL SERVICES
    Capt. Cindy Machado
    Marin Humane Society
    415-883-4621

    BULK FOOD
    Dan Williams
    Marin Community Food Bank
    415-883-1302

    CLOTHING/MASS FEEDING
    Capt. Ron Gilden
    The Salvation Army 415-459-4520

    EMERGENT VOLUNTEERS
    Meg Valentine
    Marin Nexus/The Volunteer Center of Marin
    415-479-5710

    EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
    Stephen Parsons Community Mental Health
    415-499-6767

    PUBLIC INFORMATION
    Hank Waschow
    Office of Emergency Services
    415-499-6584

    SHELTER/SHELTER FEEDING
    Tom Busk
    American Red Cross
    415-721-2365

    SOCIAL SERVICES
    Elizabeth Thompson
    Division of Social Services
    415-499-3620

    SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
    Rev. Kevin Tripp
    Marin Interfaith Council
    415-492-1052

    Marin InterAgency Disaster Coalition
    c/o Meg Valentine
    Marin Nexus
    650 Las Gallinas Avenue
    San Rafael, CA 94903
    415-479-5710
    415-479-9878 (fax)
    [email protected]

    Hank Waschow
    Marin County Office of Emergency Services
    415-499-5039