VOAD at Mass. Emergency Convention in Worcester

WORCESTER - Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) held a conference today at the DCU Center entitled, “Effective Leadership During Crisis” and several government and private organizations, such as Massachusetts Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (MA VOAD) attended.

The MEMA event covered information such as responding to terrorist attacks, how to teach the proper safety use of generators during winter storms, flood control, leadership skills during a time of crisis and much more.

VOADs, which operate in every state, consist of non-profits like the Red Cross, United Way, and many more local and regional organizations such as Boston Cares as can be seen by clicking here for Massachusetts and various local and national religious groups ranging from Christians (such as the Salvation Army, Catholics, Baptists and Methodists), Scientologists, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.

While emergency management mainly deals with getting the infrastructure back together, the VOADs coordinate among its member groups to give assistance to individuals in need of help wherever possible. Massachusetts VOAD has been very active over the past few years helping victims of tornadoes in Western, MA and Revere, a couple of hurricanes and also helped to feed and calm people during the Boston Marathon attack.