Big Country VOAD goes online; coordinating disaster response resources and support

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Since 2003, the Big Country VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) has brought companies, non-profits, and individuals together in the Big Country area to coordinate relief and support efforts in disaster situations.

Whether there’s a fire, tornado, frigid temperatures, flooding, or anything. BCVOAD works to streamline communication and resources at active scenes and after the disaster so that first responders can focus on the task.

“We are essentially a Rolodex of community partners, from an individual that wants to give their time and resources, to small businesses, to large businesses that collaboratively come together in times of need,” said BCVOAD Chairman Cameron Wiley.

While the organization has been around for 22 years, a concerted push is being made to grow its ranks and reach. BCVOAD can now be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Wiley says those pages are meant to be a hub of official information for any disaster in the Big Country, coming from their partners in the affected area, all concentrated in a central location.

Although the organization has been established for 22 years, efforts are now underway to expand its membership and impact. BCVOAD can now be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, serving as a central hub for official disaster-related information in the Big Country. Wiley explains that these pages consolidate updates from partners in affected areas, ensuring reliable and accessible communication.

“We’re not creating our own content; we’re able to just share what the official notifications are coming from our partners… That’s what we’re going to be able to tell you. This is where you can go, this is how you can help us or if you want to donate this is where you can go to do that.” Wiley said.

This push for informational clarity comes alongside the organization’s longstanding history of support in disaster situations. Wiley gave the example of the Mesquite heat fire, during which BCVOAD was able to meet the needs of area first responders as they battled the multi-day blaze and coordinated local recovery organizations for affected residents in the area.

“We were able to provide fuel through some of our partners for their trucks…Shade food and water… If there was a need. It was a simple. They request it from instant command. That came down through the city or Taylor County emergency manager, and we went and got it.” Said Wiley.

BCVOAD is comprised of partners and individuals, both local and national, in 19 Big Country and surrounding counties, including:

• Brown
• Callahan
• Coleman
• Comanche
• Eastland
• Fisher
• Haskell
• Jones
• Kent
• Knox
• Mitchell
• Nolan
• Runnels
• Scurry
• Shackelford
• Stephens
• Stonewall
• Taylor
• Throckmorton

The network does not activate until a certified county or city official requests assistance. However, Wiley stated that they are always recruiting to grow that reach and ability to respond, no matter the need.

“We need volunteers. I mean, we’re a volunteer organization, and there is no business too big or no individual too small that can be a part of what we’re doing here.” Wiley said.

With the addition of social media, Wiley encourages everyone to share the official information they are able to distribute and join in their mission either by volunteering or becoming a partner. Partnerships for small or large businesses come with a $50/year membership fee, all of which goes directly to emergency relief and response efforts.