United Way Suncoast Named Lead Agency for Manatee COAD at May Meeting
The Manatee Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) convened its May meeting with pivotal updates, new leadership announcements, and a renewed focus on collaboration to bolster countywide disaster resilience.
In a major development, United Way Suncoast was officially designated as the Lead Agency for Manatee COAD. Heather Koester, Disaster Resilience Officer, will now serve as the COAD Lead for the county, supported by Brianne Maciejowski. Together, they will guide efforts to streamline communication, reduce service duplication, and build continuity across sectors before, during, and after disasters.
A key part of the meeting focused on clarifying organizational roles. Sarah Brown, Director of Community and Veterans Services, provided a comprehensive overview that distinguished Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) from Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs). Her presentation highlighted how COADs focus on preparedness, response, and immediate recovery, whereas LTRGs typically coordinate ongoing support after initial disaster relief efforts have concluded.
Attendees also received an in-depth orientation on the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) from Joel Richmond, Deputy Chief of Emergency Management. Richmond emphasized how COAD members can align their organizational efforts with the county's emergency response and recovery framework.
To enhance internal preparedness, organizations were urged to:
Develop or review their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Print and maintain updated contact lists for staff and vendors
Establish internal communication protocols for disasters
Disseminate emergency planning tools within their teams
The meeting concluded with a call to action: strengthen the COAD network by attending meetings, sharing resources, and inviting new partners to participate. The overarching goal is to foster trust and alignment now—before disaster strikes—ensuring a unified, effective response when it does.
Meeting presentations and disaster planning resources, including the 2023 All-Hazards Disaster Planning Guide, are available through the Manatee County Emergency Management website.
