Disaster just happened? Start here → First 72 Hours Quick Guide

Disaster Response Coordination

Free, practical resources for communities responding to disaster. From the first 72 hours through long-term recovery—real guidance from people who've done it.

680+
Families Helped
2,400+
Volunteer Shifts
$2.1M
In Volunteer Value

Stats from Claremore, OK tornado response (2024) — one community, one disaster, coordinated response.

What You'll Find Here

The Disaster Response Playbook

Step-by-step guides for standing up disaster response operations. How to form an LTR, work with your state VOAD, coordinate with FEMA, and manage long-term recovery.

Start Reading →

VOAD & LTR Directory

Find your state VOAD, active Long Term Recovery organizations, and regional disaster response networks. Know who to call before you need them.

Find Organizations →

Active Disaster Response

See which communities are currently in disaster response or recovery mode. Connect with active operations and find where help is needed.

View Active →

Coordination Tools

Software and templates for managing disaster response. Volunteer scheduling, case management, donation tracking, and reporting.

Explore Tools →

Built for People in the Arena

This site exists because when disaster hits your community, you need answers fast. You're suddenly responsible for coordinating response efforts, and there's no instruction manual.

We've been there. We've helped communities stand up LTR organizations, coordinated thousands of volunteer shifts, and navigated the complex web of FEMA, VOADs, and faith-based organizations.

Everything here is free. No sales pitch. Just practical knowledge from people who've done the work.

  • Emergency managers learning the ropes
  • Nonprofit leaders thrust into disaster response
  • Faith communities organizing to help
  • Volunteers wanting to do more than show up
  • Elected officials coordinating recovery
[Photo: Volunteers coordinating disaster response]

Why Trust This?

In May 2024, an EF3 tornado hit Claremore, Oklahoma. Within days, we helped stand up a Long Term Recovery organization that would go on to serve 680 families.

We built custom software to manage Individual Assistance (IA) cases, coordinate over 2,400 volunteer shifts, and track $2.1 million in volunteer value. We worked alongside the mayor, local churches, and state VOAD.

This site captures what we learned so other communities don't have to figure it out from scratch.

Read the Claremore Story
[Photo: Claremore tornado response]

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're preparing before disaster strikes or responding to one right now, start with the playbook.

How to Stand Up an LTR →