Inspired by the actions of Knights of Columbus councils in southern Texas during the recent hurricane disaster in the Houston area, our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson instructed all State Deputies to appoint an Emergency Response Chairman to coordinate Knights efforts to assist in any future crisis around the country.

On June 30th of this year I appointed Past District Deputy and former Grand Knight Douglas J. Cook, from Rio Rico, Arizona, to Chair this program. Sir Knight Cook accepted the position and presented me with a plan to ready Arizona Knights for our participation in the State Emergency Response system.

After his meeting with the Red Cross Southern Arizona Volunteer Coordinator and the Arizona Emergency Manager’s Volunteer Coordinator, the first thing we can do to prepare for a future major disaster is have at least one volunteer from each Knight of Columbus Council join the COAD/VOAD closest to them. So, I ask each Grand Knight to appoint a representative to join their local COAD/VOAD. District Deputies will be consulted as to which COAD/VOAD organization is best for each council based on proximity and compatibility.

What is a COAD/VOAD? (Community Organization Active in Disaster/Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster) Throughout the state, the Red Cross in conjunction with local Emergency Managers strives to get volunteers and businesses to commit to provide assistance in disasters where emergency workers and agencies are being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster/crisis. These organizations in conjunction with the Red Cross offer both classroom and online training courses that prepare volunteers for disasters.

When Chairman Doug Cook contacts you in this regard, please give him your full cooperation.