Building a Stronger Emergency Response Network
Following the establishment of the Disaster Recovery Ad-Hoc in 2024, the group played an active role this year in updating emergency response data and ensuring human service agencies were prepared to mobilize during local disasters.
In 2025, sec Strong – a Community Foundation campaign designed to provide immediate support when emergencies occur – was activated twice: once following an apartment fire in East China Township and again after a water main break displaced residents in a senior apartment complex.
The committee will continue to work on maintaining the database used by Homeland Security/Emergency Management and determine if there are additional areas that could be added for a more robust response to future incidents.
These coordinated efforts ensured that affected residents received temporary housing and essential supports quickly and efficiently, reinforcing this year’s theme: Engage, Empower, Elevate, because we are truly stronger together in times of crisis.
Chairperson: Justin Westmiller and Scott Crawford