Our Core Services
Santa Barbara County VOAD brings member organizations together to share resources, develop guidelines, and build capacity for effective disaster response. Our work spans three primary operational areas, each supported by dedicated committees and practical tools.
Business Continuity Planning
We support Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) for member organizations through video resources, planning guides, and strategies for managing risk and investing in resiliency.
BCP Resources →Emergency Volunteer Centers
We provide operational guidance and survey tools for managing Emergency Volunteer Centers (EVC) during disasters, enabling effective coordination between volunteer groups and response agencies.
Volunteer Guidance →Access & Functional Needs
Our AFN program ensures disaster preparedness and response are accessible to all community members. We facilitate forums, priority surveys, and workshop follow-ups to address functional needs in planning.
AFN Program →
Guidelines and Procedures
Effective disaster response depends on clear, shared protocols. Santa Barbara County VOAD develops and maintains guidelines that help member organizations operate cohesively during emergencies.
- Disaster Response Guidelines — Standardized procedures for coordinated action across member organizations.
- Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) — Frameworks to help organizations maintain essential functions during and after a disruption.
- Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC) Guidance — Step-by-step operational documents for setting up and running volunteer reception and deployment centers.
- Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Integration — Guidance for incorporating accessibility considerations into all phases of disaster planning and response.
Quarterly Member Meetings
Member organizations meet quarterly to network, share information about resources and needs, and learn from experts in disaster preparedness. These gatherings are central to our collaborative model — past meetings have featured guest speakers on topics such as lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, and the Training Committee maintains a regular schedule of capacity-building sessions throughout the year.
Meeting notes, schedules, and follow-up materials are distributed to members to support ongoing learning and coordination.