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Mid-America ACS Disaster Response Leaders Win National Recognition
Gaylord and Derri Hanson, leaders of Adventist Community Services Disaster Response in the Mid-America Union, are among a coalition of faith-based leaders who received the 2010 national award from Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). The Hansons belong to the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council, which was selected from among 55 state and territory regions to win VOAD's 2010 award for excellence in disaster response following the tornadoes and floods of 2008. The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council (IDHRC) has received national recognition for its work following the tornadoes and floods of 2008.
The IDHRC received the 2010 State/Territory VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) of the Year award on May 11. Among its many accomplishments, the IDHRC was recognized for the work it has done to strengthen the ability of local communities and the VOAD to respond to disaster events of any size and for developing a collaborative network of organizations to respond to the needs of Iowans affected by large scale disasters.
“Being honored by peers is one of the highest forms of recognition,” said IDHRC Co-Chair Gayle Strickler. “I was grateful there were others from Iowa who joined me on the podium when the award was presented. It was the work of individuals and groups in all the affected areas that made the IDHRC eligible for consideration. But no one had any idea that what was done in 2008 would ever lead to such a prestigious award. I only wish it would have been possible for all the Iowans who contributed to the effort that led to the award to have shared in the experience.”
Strickler was joined in accepting the award by other IDHRC members: Long Term Recovery Chair Don Hampton (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance), Secretary Blake DeRouchey (HSEMD), and members Leslie Wright (United Way, Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition), Becky Wood (Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church), Gaylord and Derri Hanson (Adventist Community Service Disaster Response), Seth Gardner (NECHAMA) and Gene Borochoff (NECHAMA).
“The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council is an important partner during disasters and throughout the recovery,” said Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Administrator David L. Miller. “The work they do to help meet the needs of Iowans impacted by disasters makes them more than deserving of this recognition.”
The National VOAD Board of Directors selected the IDHRC for the award from 55 state and territory organizations. The award was presented to IDHRC members at the 18th National VOAD conference. The conference brings together the organization’s national members, the state and territory VOADs, regional and local VOADs, emergency management, and partners from the private sector.
The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council is comprised of faith-based and voluntary agency representatives from throughout the state as well as representatives from key government agencies. HSEMD developed the council at the request of local emergency management coordinators to identify and address the unmet needs of Iowa’s citizens impacted by disaster events. In addition, group members assist with the coordination of volunteers and donations during activation of the State Emergency Operations Center as requested, and continue to promote cooperation among all volunteer and faith-based organizations. The IDHRC is a member organization of the National VOAD and also serves as the state’s Citizen Corps Council.
Lucinda Robertson
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division
Posted 5/24/10