Mission, Vision, and Values of the Riverside County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (RivCo VOAD)
Mission Statement
The Riverside County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (RivCo VOAD) aims to enhance services for people affected by disaster by promoting cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration. As a non-partisan group, VOAD consists of various organizations working together in Riverside County to share resources and expertise throughout all the phases of the disaster cycle: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to lead efforts that strengthen and increase the resilience of Riverside County, including before, during, and after a disaster.
Values
Equity, Access, and Opportunity
We are dedicated to inclusivity and fairness, regardless of location, economic, or social status. Our commitment to promoting racial and social equity ensures that we serve the whole community effectively.
Caring and Compassion
We approach our work with empathy and respect, honoring the dignity of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, or identity. This principle reinforces our mission to serve with understanding and kindness towards every community member.
Excellence and Accountability
We strive for operational excellence by adhering to best practices and fostering mutual accountability among our membership. Our collaborative efforts are aimed at delivering meaningful, impactful results, ensuring that our actions align with our core values.
Benefits of Membership
- Increase your organization’s disaster preparedness
- Tap into volunteers/resources from other member organizations
- Learn about opportunities offered through participating organizations
- Share services/resources with other disaster response organizations
- Promote your organization through VOAD
- Network with others dedicated to serve
- Help support our communities during times of disaster
Meeting Schedule
Riverside County VOAD meets from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of February, April, June, August, October, and December via virtual video conferencing.
Training
Below are the links for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study (IS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) training to meet member requirements for Riverside County VOAD membership:
IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
Introduction to the Incident Command System introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) relationship.
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c
IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community - all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector - to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course gives learners a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
IS-288: The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
This independent study course provides a basic understanding of disaster relief voluntary agencies' history, roles, and services in providing disaster assistance. It is appropriate for both the general public and those involved in emergency management operations.
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-288.a
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS):
This course provides a comprehensive discussion of the components of SEMS and how SEMS is used in California. Content includes mutual aid, multiagency coordination, the operational area concept, and how the five levels of government communicate, interact, and share resources.
https://csti-ca.csod.com/catalog/CustomPage.aspx?id=20000553&tab_page_id=20000553&tab_id=20000590
Click on the “Browse Catalog” tab
Scroll down to “Intro to SEMS G606 (online version)”
VOAD Board
- Sandra Severns, Chair
- Lewis Allen, Vice Chair
- Marti Shelley, Secretary
- Vacant, Treasurer
- Manny Arcabos, Member-at-Large
- Michelle Kelly, Ex Officio representative
To reach the RivCo VOAD Board, please fill out the Contact Us form.