City encourages community to attend COAD-SMTX Meeting

Staff Reports

SAN MARCOS – As National Preparedness Month begins, the City of San Marcos encourages residents to participate in the first general membership meeting of Community Organizations Active in Disasters – San Marcos (COAD-SMTX). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 8 at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 East Hopkins Street, beginning at 11 a.m. In-person and virtual attendance options are available.

COAD-SMTX is a City-supported organization that brings together volunteer groups to assist residents in the event of a disaster. The group convenes throughout the year to organize and plan the deployment of community resources in an efficient and timely manner.

Five board members were appointed to COAD-SMTX during a kickoff meeting held earlier this year. The organization’s board members include:

• Monica Followell, First Baptist Church – Chair
• Robert Eby, Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) – Vice Chair
• Roland Saucedo, City of San Marcos Neighborhood Commission
• Elizabeth Wills, Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T)
• Bob Mooney, San Marcos Lions Club

“I believe the heart of this community is to be collaborative and cooperative with one another for the good of our neighbors, and the COAD-SMTX exists for just that reason,” said Monica Followell. “It is our hope that COAD-SMTX will effectively mobilize our community through education and prevention all the way through long-term recovery. San Marcos has the bones of valuable agencies, non-profits, churches, businesses, and citizens. The COAD is a way to pull it all together for the greater good.”

The organization of COADs is encouraged by both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), as they play a crucial role in coordinating emergency human services at the basic community level. COADs do not provide direct services to residents affected by disasters, but coordinate services provided by member organizations.

During the September 8 COAD-SMTX general membership meeting, attendees are encouraged to wear face masks and apply hand sanitizer due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Disposable face masks and adequate space for distancing will be provided. A Zoom link may be obtained by contacting info@coadsmtx.org.

For more information about the upcoming meeting, contact info@coadsmtx.org. To become a member of COAD-SMTX visit www.coadsmtx.org/join.