We have had a very difficult couple of days with some very
devastating tornados hitting several communities in Oklahoma. As I write
this we are still experiencing tornados on the ground in Oklahoma. We
know you all are seeing and hearing about the devastation and want to assist as
soon as possible, but right now we want to ask you to do the following things
to make our collaborative effort as effective as possible for our neighbors in
need:
1. Please
join us in allowing the first responders to do the work they need to do.
It will take time to assess the complete amount of damage our fellow Oklahomans
have suffered and comprise a list of how our VOAD organizations can help to
meet their needs.
2. In
the meantime, begin to take inventory of all available goods, services, and
resources of your organization. Also, please take inventory of your
organizations personnel and volunteers with their skill sets and availability.
3. At
this time, PLEASE ask your organizations to make financial donations only until
when and if other types of donations are requested. We all KNOW not
heeding this request can lead to the second disaster after the disaster.
IMMEDIATE
ATTENTION NEEDED ON VOLUNTEERS
Many unsolicited volunteers are showing up at the Incident
Command Center in Moore!! PLEASE instruct all volunteers
associated with your organization or other individual volunteers or groups you
may come in contact with to NOT self-deploy. Best practices include a
collaborative response, so people are directed WHEN NEEDED and WHERE NEEDED so
their help and skills are most needed and will be most effective.
Thank
You,
Rev.
Richard W. Norman
Chair
Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
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