The Warren County Emergency Management Agency is asking: When a disaster strikes, how can you help?The agency formed the Warren County Community Organizations Active in a Disaster, or COAD, to develop a list of members who offer products, services and know-how that would be useful in case of an emergency or disaster. The idea is to have a database of contacts and resources so when an event comes, COAD, at the request of the Emergency Management Agency, can match the community’s needs with the right tools.COAD aims to assist in the event of a catastrophe, if people lose their computers, important papers, ID, or even their home. The organization also plans for major disasters that could wipe out schools, places of work or supermarkets.“COAD mostly goes beyond just the emergency response. At some point, that help goes away, but then there’s still the very hard work of pulling things back to normal,” said Jim Sharp, chairperson of the Warren County COAD.Sharp said the Warren County COAD is a group of private- and public-sector organizations that provide, on a day-to-day basis, a wide range of services.“If Warren County or any portion thereof were to be impacted by a disaster or large-scale emergency, the COAD is activated and becomes a clearinghouse of sorts for required services during the response and recovery efforts,” he said.“A short list of our member organizations would include the American Red Cross, the Warren County R-III and Wright City R-II Schools Districts, the Warren County Health Department, and several local places of worship. The complete list is much longer.”Jan Olearnick, president of the Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce is co-chair of the COAD group and plays an important role in promoting business resilience.“After a crisis, you’re very vulnerable. We want to make sure that individuals and families get to the resources that they need that they don’t even know exist,” Olearnick said.For instance, COAD will direct families to where they can access their important documents. Also, the Warren County Senior Center, as a member of COAD, would be able to track down senior citizens to check on their safety after a disaster. The same goes for families with children attending schools.Sharp said a disaster or emergency might be severe weather such as a tornado, wind or snowstorm, and earthquake, or a highway or train accident involving hazardous materials.How to respond to such disasters is something Sharp knows about. He has a FEMA basic instructor certificate, is a master professional continuity practitioner, and is vice president and chief training officer with Aegis Emergency Management, a company he owns. He is deputy Emergency Operations Center director for the Warren County Emergency Management Agency and chairperson of the Warren County Long Term Recovery Committee.“For him, this is his job, but for us, this is a gift,” Olearnick said of his expertise.Sharp said, “The whole community approach to disaster mitigation, response, and recovery has proven its worth time and time again, and it’s my feeling that when we involve as many community elements as possible in the planning and preparation phases, we prepare for success should we need to respond and recover.”COAD has room for members. Officers and board members serve voluntarily and there is no cost or fee for membership. For more information, call Sharp at 636-359-7511 or the Warren County Emergency Management Agency at 636-456-3786.Warren County Emergency Management Agency