Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council
The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council is comprised of faith-based and voluntary agency representatives as well as representatives from key government agencies. The concept for the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council developed at the request of the Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA). The mission statement of the Council is to “Coordinate a holistic approach to disaster recovery by maximizing public and private resources, thereby providing an efficient system that can address immediate and long-term physical, spiritual and emotional needs of impacted citizens.”
Council members seek to identify available resources to address the unmet needs of Iowa's citizens impacted by disaster during both declared and non-declared events. The group meets from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston, Iowa.
Volunteers play a crucial role in disaster response, supplementing the efforts of emergency responders who provide immediate relief and care to individuals and communities following a disaster. The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council encourages organization and identification of volunteers before a disaster occurs. Once identified, these volunteers are able to provide needed assistance in response efforts. If your group would like to learn more about the Council, contact Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division at 515-323-4210.
Disaster Human Resource Council's Special Needs Committee
The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council's Special Needs Committee is currently working to strengthen Iowa 's capacity to meet the disaster preparedness and disaster response needs of Iowans with limited English proficiency. The full work plan may be obtained by contacting Special Needs Committee Chair Loren Bawn at 515-283-7903 or lbawn@dhs.state.ia.us
The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council's Special Needs Committee is currently working to strengthen Iowa 's capacity to meet the disaster preparedness and disaster response needs of Iowans with limited English proficiency through the formation of a Multilingual Emergency Response Network. The initiative asks leaders of Iowa 's many ethnic communities to serve as “Ambassadors” for the project. Ambassadors will learn more about the project; provide input to the project's planning effort, and share the vision of this project with others in their community. The goal of the Ambassador program is to encourage bilingual (or multilingual) members of the community to serve as Volunteers.
Identified and willing “Volunteers” with the Multilingual Emergency Response Network will have their contact information, as well as bi/multilingual language skills, entered into a database for use during disaster events. Volunteers would be contacted as needed to assist in providing emergency information to community members.
Through the Multilingual Emergency Response Network program volunteers can participate, at no cost, in training to respond to disaster/emergency events, or act as an interpreter for trained emergency responders as needed. All activities are voluntary.
What You Can Do To Help
The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council's Special Needs committee is asking you to help identify potential ambassadors and volunteers in your ethnic community. If you, or individuals you know, have an interest in being involved in either capacity, please fill out the appropriate application. To apply, please fill out the Ambassador Application Form or Volunteer Application Form and return by e-mail or fax to one of the addresses below.
To learn more about the Council or the Ambassador program, call 515-323-4210. Applications may be faxed to: 515-323-4319.