The Starke County COAD is looking for local restaurants and businesses willing to donate food, beverages and other resources to first responders during lengthy emergency situations.
This would be a local effort similar to canteen services offered by the Red Cross. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier would assist the COAD with this initiative. When a major incident occurs and responders are expected to be out in the field for an extended period of time, she would call on COAD members to get resources to the scene as soon as possible.
In order to be able to respond quickly, there has to be an established network of places that COAD members could call when an incident strikes.
A recent example of how the Starke County Community Organization Active in Disaster group was able to assist first responders was during a tabletop exercise where law enforcement, firefighters and medical professionals gathered to practice for an incident involving a hazardous material.
COAD member Sharon Krick coordinated with Christos and Five Star and they supplied lunch for when the exercise was finished.
Whether it’s providing water on especially hot days or supplying food to help responders replenish their energy, any kind of assistance would be beneficial.
If you are a business owner interested in providing assistance to the first responders please contact Starke County EMA Director J. Nier at 574-772-9182 or send an email to starke.county.coad@gmail.com.
