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Voluntary Organizations and State Agencies

Many disasters are handled at the county level by county emergency management agencies (EMAs). Some disasters, however, are beyond the capability of the local community and require additional resources. When this happens, county officials may declare a local state of emergency, which legally opens the door to state resources. Through the coordinated efforts of the organizations and agencies below, requests for disaster assistance are quickly and efficiently addressed via the State Emergency Operations Center.


Indiana VOAD MARC Exercise (2022)
  • American Red Cross
    Red Cross logo

    The American Red Cross has been serving Indiana for more than a century as it works to "prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors."

    The Red Cross Indiana chapter offers the following services:

    • Blood donations
    • Immediate disaster response
    • Training for emergency preparedness
    • Volunteers

    American Red Cross

  • Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
    CERT logo

    Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are local teams in neighborhoods, workplaces and schools that are trained in basic disaster response skills, including fire suppression, medical operations and urban search and rescue. These volunteer citizens take an active role in local emergency preparedness.

    Indiana CERT

  • Indiana Wing Civil Air Patrol
    Indiana Civil Air Patrol logo

    Volunteers of the Indiana Wing Civil Air Patrol, based in Terre Haute, have been performing emergency services since 1941. The Indiana Wing help with search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian services, Air Force support and counter drug operations.

    Civil Air Patrol

  • Indiana VOAD
    Indiana VOAD logo

    Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). VOADs are associations of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters. Indiana VOAD consists of both locally based organizations and local representatives of national organizations.

    Indiana VOAD

  • Mennonite Disaster Service
    Mennonite Disaster Service logo

    The Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds to disasters, focusing on cleanup, house repairs and house rebuilding.

    Mennonite Disaster Service

  • Ports of Indiana
    Ports of Indiana logo

    The Ports of Indiana is the Indiana Port Commission, the governmental authority to operate the state's ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The ports handle large amounts of cargo, which may be needed in times of emergency.

    Ports of Indiana

  • Salvation Army
    Salvation Army logo

    The American Red Cross Indiana chapter adapts to every disaster, but at its core The Salvation Army provides food and water services, shelters, cleanup and emergency communication assistance. The organization also helps with long-term recovery, emergency preparedness and spiritual and emotional care

    The Salvation Army

  • State Agencies and Offices
    Indiana A State That Works logo

    Depending on the type of disaster or emergency, different state agencies can be involved in numerous ways. In addition to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's leadership and coordination, the following state agencies commonly assist:

    IDHS also coordinates a team of trained and qualified volunteers to help assess structures affected by disasters. Government employees, architects, engineers and the like are invited to learn more about the Indiana Building Emergency Assessment and Monitoring Team at the I-BEAM page.

    IDHS volunteer opportunities