A unique learning experience

In the spirit of countywide community preparedness, the San Rafael Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services (SRFD/OES) welcomed members of the Marin County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) as part of a tour around the San Rafael Public Safety Center (PSC), a state-of-the-art public safety facility recently built in August 2020.

In this tour, Marin VOAD members learned about the City’s preparedness efforts that support timely Fire and EMS response as well as citywide response coordination through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). An EOC is a strategic centralized location that facilitates city coordination of various emergency response functions. If activated, the EOC is ramped up and operated under the Incident Command System (ICS) to address community needs and facilitate overall coordination with city partners. Marin VOAD members were able to see and understand the concept of an EOC and what their role would look like as part of the wider community stakeholder response, should they be called upon to staff the City or County EOC.

Who is part of Marin VOAD

Marin VOAD members are comprised of community-based, faith-based and non-profit organizations with established programs and services that directly benefit community residents. Given their strategic level of engagement in the community, these organizations play a critical role throughout Marin County facilitating preparedness outreach and response operations in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Marin VOAD is part of the wider National VOAD coalition, which is represented throughout the country at state, local and regional level. Learn more about the Marin VOAD and others located in NorCal by visiting the California VOAD website.