3. 1. Literature Review- Brief overview of the literature
regarding theories and practices of cross-sector
collaboration in disaster management.
2. Findings from Interview - Discuss the major finding of
our research, including limitations
3. Summary of Key Deliverables - Outline the outputs of
our involvement with VOAD and how they support our
findings
4. Questions
Path of Presentation
4. Project
• Strengthen the
relationship between the
regional VOAD and local
Emergency Managers in
order to better prepare
the network to focus and
direct volunteer energy
during a disaster.
– Defining key functions of
stakeholder relations.
5. Client Deliverables
Template and guidance for MOU
Template and guidance for Disaster
Response Plan
Recommendations for requesting
volunteers in each jurisdiction
6. Lit Review: Guiding Questions
What is VOAD an what role does it play in cross-sector collaboration in
disaster management?
What are the functions of both volunteer organizations and individual
volunteers’ services within cross-sector collaboration as it pertains to
disaster management?
Why is cross-sector collaboration a necessary component of disaster
response and what are promising practices?
8. Lit Review: Guiding Questions
What is VOAD and what role does it play in cross-sector collaboration in
disaster management?
What are the functions of both volunteer organizations and individual
volunteers’ services within cross-sector collaboration as it pertains to
disaster management?
Why is cross-sector collaboration a necessary component of disaster
response and what are promising practices?
9. Lit Review: Key Findings
• Cross-sector collaboration has been
used increasingly in the field of
emergency management.
• Leading practitioners and scholars
suggest that success in cross-sector
collaboration requires building and
strengthening of relationships.
• Volunteers are a necessity in emergency management
but they are most effective when affiliated with voluntary
organizations
• Communication and collaboration with public officials is
essential
12. • Increase clarity of
capabilities
• Increase
understanding of
member capacity
• Increase understanding
of services
• Broaden skills and
depth
• Clear understanding
of roles in disaster
response system
• Participation in
exercises and ICS
• Foster relationships
EM’s, VC’s, Public and
Private sectors
• Improve
communications with
affiliates
Relationships
and
Communication
Knowledge and
Integration
Expectations
and
Accountability
Skills training
and meeting
unmet needs
Cross-Sector
Collaboration
14. Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)
• The goal of the MOU is to:
– Establish clear roles and responsibilities for
NOVA VOAD, Volunteer Centers, and various
government actors
– Provide accountability
• It “gives you something to bank on.” – Ken
Rudnicki, Emergency Manager, Fairfax
– Act as a catalyst for developing personal
relationships among key stakeholders
15. Disaster Response Plan (DRP)
• The DRP provides details of the roles and
responsibilities outlined in the MOU.
• Updating this more frequently showcases
agility and makes sure that NOVA VOAD
is keeping up with new developments
throughout the region.
• Adding the CSALTT component allows
jurisdictions to improve their contact with
and use of NOVA VOAD.
17. System for Requesting Volunteers
• According to interviews, the methods for requesting volunteers
was inconsistent
• Different jurisdictions have different means of contacting NOVA
VOAD.
• Standardizing the process of requesting volunteers was a
stated preference for many stakeholders
18. Volunteer Request System
(cont’d)
1. Maintain a robust Volunteer Resource
Directory (VRD)
2. Make the VRD available online
3. Develop clear guidance for volunteer
requests
– DRP, CSALTT form
4. Ensure contact information is consistent,
reliable, and has built-in redundancy
19. Key Recommendations Summary
• Build inter-personal relationships through communication
– Define roles through MOU
• Increase integration
– More involvement in exercises
– Robust Volunteer Resource Directory
• Clear expectations
– Ensure accountability
– MOU
• Meeting unmet needs
– Understanding of services
– Skills training
Relationships
Knowledge /
Integration
Expectations
Unmet Needs
20. Our follow up actions
Presented research and deliverables to…
• NOVA VOAD Quarterly Meeting 6/7/12
– Membership approved presentation to
Northern Virginia Emergency Managers
• Northern Virginia Emergency Managers
and VDEM representatives 8/3/12
– Each represented jurisdiction agreed to sign
MOU
